Strategic Diagnostics’ RapidChek® E. coli O157 System Awarded AOAC Research Institute Certification for Composite Testing of Raw Beef Products

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Strategic Diagnostics Inc. 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 Methods^SM 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 SDI’s 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 Technology^TM (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.

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