Eurofins has secured UKAS accreditation for a rapid test used to identify Cronobacter sakazakii, a pathogenic organism often associated with powdered infant formula milk.
The ill effects of Cronobacter sakazaii on newborn babies means that testing for absence in 10g of powdered infant formula is compulsory under EU regulation.
The Eurofins identification test provides results in less than 24 hours.
The test method uses a Pathatrix system, which selectively concentrates the organisms and is combined with PCR detection of DNA specific to Cronobacter sakazakii, ensuring confidence in the accuracy of the results.
This combination of immunological and real-time PCR technologies provides a highly specific and sensitive test, which is essential since the number of cells required to cause an infection is unknown.
Additional testing can be carried out because the Pathatrix instrument has the added advantage of allowing up to five samples to be pooled in one test.
This allows rapid screening of large numbers of samples at one time and also reduces cost per test.
Additionally, if a positive result is obtained, the result can be confirmed by traditional culture methods from the Pathatrix beads.
'Not only is the test highly specific, but the ability to be able to test five samples together means fast turnaround, products released faster and subsequent cost savings,' said Liz Paterson, sales and marketing director, UK Food Eurofins Laboratories.
