The Australian Government, Department of Agriculture has approved Life Technologies’ MicroSEQ Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) workflow as an approved test method to detect pathogens in export meat and meat products.
The workflows approved are used to detect three pathogens, E. coli O157:H7 (in raw ground beef and beef trim), Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (in meat and meat products), which are the major food pathogens associated with meats and meat products.
The approved total workflows include the use of PrepSEQ Rapid Spin Sample Preparation Kit or Automated PrepSEQ Nucleic Acid Extraction Kit, MicroSEQ Detection Kits and 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR Instrument, guided by the RapidFinder Express Software to gain data.
Australia is a major exporter of food and the second largest exporter of beef in the world.
When exporting food, many products are subject to testing as part of the trade arrangements between Australia and importing countries.
Many countries require test methods under their country’s regulation including methods that are prior to the approval by the Australian government.
Microbiological testing which is commonly agreed by both exporting and importing countries following government approved methods at regulated laboratories is essential to ensure the quality of the export products.
