CALGARY, ALBERTA – The AOAC Research Institute/Gaithersburg, Md., a globally-recognized approval body for food safety diagnostic tests, has approved the FoodChek-E. coli O157 test for use with beef carcass sponge samples, FoodChek Systems Inc. announced. This additional AOAC-approval is consistent with U.S. Department of Agriculture-prescribed testing procedures of beef carcasses, and complements FoodChek's other AOAC approvals including 25-g, 65-g, 325-g and 375-g raw ground beef samples and N-60 beef trim samples.

FoodChek-E. coli O157 is now AOAC-approved and USDA-accepted for all current U.S. beef industry beef sample test applications, the company said.


The AOAC beef carcass sponge approval further supports the company's unique and proprietary MICT magnetic nanotechnology platform, the company relays.

"The AOAC beef carcass sponge approval together with the previous AOAC approvals for 375g RGB and N-60 beef trim, now gives FoodChek-E. coli O157 the ability to deliverE. coliO157 test results on site and in a single production shift to all beef processors, from large slaughterhouses to downstream raw ground beef grinders,” said William Hogan, president and CEO. “From a risk-management perspective, these AOAC test approvals clearly demonstrate that FoodChek-E. coli O157 is fast, accurate and the easiest diagnostic tool to monitor the effectiveness of processor's microbial interventions and process controls."

Dr. Gabriela Martinez, FoodChek's director of science, added with these AOAC approvals, FoodChek-E. coli O157 has now been proven to have superior sensitivity in RGB and beef trim samples (1cfu/375g) and in beef carcass sponge samples (<0.05 cfu/100 cm2). This contributes to protecting both the beef processors' brand and public health. Additionally, this screening tool detects all pathogenic serotypes ofE. coliO157, including H7 and non motiles (NM), as well as other serotypes ofE. coliO157, which are a growing public health concern.

The AOAC Research Institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International, is an independent non-profit corporation whose stated purpose is to promote and carry out activities related to the development, improvement, and understanding of analytical practices and procedures affecting public health and welfare. FoodChek specializes in developing advanced food safety test methods.