NEWARK, Del.– Strategic Diagnostics Inc. (NASDAQ: SDIX), a leading provider of
biotechnology-based detection solutions for food safety and life science
applications, today announced that its recently improved RapidChek E. coli O157
(including H7) System has earned Performance-Tested MethodsSM certification from
the AOAC Research Institute (License Number # 070801) for testing composite
samples of raw beef including ground beef and boneless beef trim.
Reacting to testing and sampling protocol changes in the beef industry, this
third-party validation study was performed with the RapidChek E. coli O157 test
system for detection of E. coli O157 (Including H7) in composited 375g beef trim
and ground beef samples. The results were compared to the USDA (United States
Department of Agriculture) FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Service) reference
method. All samples were confirmed using biochemical/serological procedures as
listed in the USDA MLG 5.04 (Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook). RapidChek E.
coli O157 was shown to reliably detect E. coli O157 (Including H7) in 375g beef
trim samples in as few as 10 hours using a 1:5 sample to media dilution factor
and in 375g ground beef samples in as little as 12 hours. The study also
demonstrated the ability to verify RapidChek E. coli O157 potential positive
results with commercially available DNA-based methods directly from the
RapidChek media system followed by further confirmation with
biochemical/serological procedures as listed in the USDA MLG 5.04.
Tim Lawruk, SDI Food Safety Marketing Manager, said, With the recent
announcements of E. coli O157:H7 contamination in beef products, SDI has been
working with leaders in the beef industry and regulatory agencies to understand
testing requirements based on new sampling practices and industry testing
concerns. The newly improved AOAC-certified RapidChek E. coli O157 test system,
which includes improved materials and reagents, is designed to offer several
advantages over competitive testing methods, including greater accuracy, faster
results, reduced testing costs, and increased confidence in test results. This
certification also confirms SDIs commitment to provide the food market with
superior, complete pathogen testing solutions that provide rapid and accurate
results. For more information about the RapidChek E. coli O157 test system,
visit www.sdix.com/SafeBeef.
Scott Coates, AOAC Research Institute Senior Managing Director, commented, Beef
processors and regulators are responding to increasing pressure to protect the
health of consumers. The AOAC Research Institute Performance-Tested Methods
program supports these enhanced expectations by independently evaluating and
validating the technologies that most effectively address E. coli O157 and other
food safety outbreaks.
About AOAC-RI
The AOAC Research Institute (AOAC RI) is a subsidiary of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, a
globally recognized, independent, not-for-profit association founded in 1884.
AOAC serves the analytical sciences community by providing validated methods and
technical standards that give confidence in analytical results. For more
information see the AOAC website at
http://www.aoac.org/.
About SDI
SDI is a biotechnology company, expert at creating advantage by providing
quality, innovative and effective immuno-solutions to the Pharmaceutical,
Biotechnology, Diagnostics, and Food Safety markets.
For 20 years, SDI has created antibodies that advance its customers immuno-based
work reducing time, labor, and costs while increasing accuracy and reliability
of results.
SDI offers a fully-integrated suite of immuno-solution capabilities, including
its Genomic Antibody TechnologyTM (GAT) for diagnostic-grade clinical assays and
research projects from antibody candidate to critical high-quality reagent
formulation. GAT enables fast, robust design and development of antibodies and
antibody panels with high specificity, sensitivity, and reliability.
For more information, visit www.sdix.com.
Source: SDI