Canadian university launches new E. coli test for meat processors

July 16th, 2013

Medical, agriculture and computer science researchers from the University of Alberta have teamed up to develop a test that will improve food safety standards. The testing device, which is the size of a large shoebox, can detect pathogenic E. coli while meat is still at food processing facilities. The test is more sensitive at picking up E. coli strains, faster at pinpointing results, and less expensive than other tests that are currently used.

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry researcher Linda Pilarski, and Lynn McMullen from the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES), lead the U of A team fine-tuning the test.

The test will be easy to use on-site at food processing facilities ? users will place a sample of meat in a machine, push a button, and results will be available in less than an hour. The device makes millions of copies of the genes in the meat sample to determine if E. coli is present.

?It?s like a molecular Xerox machine,? says Linda Pilarksi. ?It?s an exciting application that allows us to test for E. coli toxins and genes that allow bacteria to stick to meat.

?The current tests used in the food processing industry have issues and sometimes don?t detect contaminants as effectively as they should, due to a variety of complicating factors. This relatively new molecular technology will be much more efficient and much less subject to complications,? she explains.

Source: http://www.foodnews.co.nz/31661/canadian-university-launches-new-e-coli-test-for-meat-processors/

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