When working with raw meat, how do you protect yourself from food fraud and accidental contamination?
The risks of meat being contaminated with animal protein from another species fall into two main categories:
- Accidental contamination from improper processes for cleaning and separation.
- Intentional contamination when one type of meat is passed off as another, or product is ‘stretched’ with undesirable fillers.
Tests for meat speciation help protect against unscrupulous vendors, incomplete safety protocols, and accidental mix-ups. Now, manufacturers and meat processors can detect the presence of undesirable meat species in minutes. Tests are available for ingredients, raw foods, rinse water and environment. They are an ideal screen for QC labs and an invaluable “early warning” system for meat processors eager to prevent food fraud/food adulteration.
Bio-Check (UK) FlowThrough™
FlowThrough™ tests for speciation can identify both accidental and intentional meat contamination. These easy tests allow handlers of raw meat to save time, save money, and save face in the event of a contamination issue. Tests are available for detecting traces of raw beef, horse, sheep, chicken and pork in foods and on surfaces.
Kits should be stored in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life. Purchase minimum is two kits, mix-and-match is welcome.
Bio-Check’s Raw Meat FlowThrough™ speciation tests are easy enough for any facility handling raw meat, and accurate enough for food safety laboratories. They provide peace of mind as to the integrity of raw materials and products.
The tests are simple to perform and provide fast and cost-effective test results for a wide range of large and small meat processors. Key benefits:
- Reliably detect 1% levels of raw meat adulteration
- For use with raw meats, blood drip and raw meat products
- Validated using LGC Raw Meat Certificated Reference Materials (CRMs)
- Results in under 15 minutes
- Easy to use, no special training required
- Includes all materials for conducting five tests
Raw Meat FlowThrough™ tests are available in packs of 5 tests (2 pack minimum purchase, mix-and-match welcome):
- Raw Cow FlowThrough™
- Raw Horse FlowThrough™
- Raw Pig FlowThrough™
- Raw Sheep FlowThrough™
- Raw Poultry FlowThrough™
Validated using LGC Raw Meat Certificated Reference Materials, a panel of shop-bought meats and over 50 potentially cross-reacting food ingredients as well as compared to confirmatory raw meat ELISAs.
No matter which food safety code your facility follows, you are almost certainly required to perform validation testing as well as day-to-day testing to verify that cleaning has worked as expected. The new range of Raw Meat Species FlowThrough™ Swab tests can easily help you validate and verify your cleaning routine.
With this simple test, you can address the current key demands for ease of sampling, high sensitivity with speed and ease of use to verify that meat species controls are working.
- Reliable, sensitive detection
- For use on work and storage surfaces
- Results in under 8 minutes
- No ‘overload’ should high levels of contamination be detected.
- Easy to use, no special training required
- Includes all materials for conducting five tests
Tests take under 8 minutes to perform and consist of just two components; no special equipment or training is required.
Raw Meat Species FlowThrough™ Swab tests are available in packs of 5 tests (2 pack minimum purchase, mix-and-match welcome):
- Raw Cow FlowThrough™ Swab
- Raw Pig FlowThrough™ Swab
- Raw Sheep FlowThrough™ Swab
- Raw Poultry FlowThrough™ Swab
Since they are highly sensitive, the tests are ideal for verifying working surfaces are truly clean. The tests do not ‘overload’ even if high levels of protein are detected.
Incorporating these tests into a facility’s process controls is a simple way to minimize the potential for cross-contamination. This enhances brand reputation, raising consumer confidence and trust in labeling.
Selectivity of the FlowThrough™ Swab tests for surfaces
The purified antibodies used in this kit are highly specific for the specific species albumin protein; other species (see the meats, animal sera and related foods in the table below), if they react at all, do so at levels well below the lowest detectable response level:
Contact us for a full validation report. For each test there are also reactions, to a greater or lesser degree, with closely-related species as follows:
The FlowThrough™ speciation tests should be stored in the refrigerator. Everything you need to conduct five tests are included in the kit. The procedure for the tests are different for foods and surfaces. Contact us if you would like additional documentation on how the tests are conducted.
The Raw Meat FlowThrough™ Test typically takes 12 minutes to perform. Species-specific proteins are extracted from a homogenous sample that is then diluted and added to the test unit so that the proteins bind to a Test spot (T) on the left hand side of the test area. Binding of these proteins is indicated after the addition of a Color Reagent, which forms a pink spot at ‘T’. A pink Control (C) spot will also appear on the right hand side of the test area to indicate the test has worked properly.
The FlowThrough™ Swab Test for surfaces is equally simple. The test is a validation step in your cleaning process. Swab the selected area with consistent pressure. Snap the bulb on the swab device and firmly squeeze to release the color reagent through the swab tip into the tube. Squeeze the bulb to empty the liquid onto the test area through the swab tip.
- I got an unexpected result or I would like to verify my result
The sample extract can be retained (store refrigerated at 2°C/36°F to 8°C/46°F for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months) for testing by ELISA if required. If necessary, spin the white disc by pressing one edge and remove it so that more liquid extract can be accessed. Contact us to set up ELISA or PCR lab testing. - Viscous extracts may take longer to absorb; if not absorbed after 10 minutes, blot remaining liquid with a clean cotton bud or tissue before cleaning the test area.
- Swabbing the surface
The test is designed to verify the cleaning step in your process and should only be used on visibly clean surfaces.Although the tests are highly sensitive the detection capability is dependent upon the quality of the swabbing technique. Amongst other factors, it depends on the surface material and effectiveness of swabbing. - Cleaning verification
Working strength levels of detergents or disinfectants do not affect the performance of the tests. - Test and Control spot intensity
The appearance of a clearly visible Test spot no matter what the intensity should be recorded as Detected. The Control spot should always be clearly visible for the test to be valid. The Test spot (if it appears) is normally of less intensity than the Control spot. Any Test spot is indicative of an unclean surface.
The FlowThrough™ speciation tests require special handling and storage. Check the control spot before using to make sure that the kit did not degrade because of a shipping issue.
Lead time: Please allow 5-10 business days.
Kits require expedited shipping. You will be emailed after purchase if we require additional information and/or shipping fee adjustments.
Kits should be refrigerated upon arrival. Kits should be stored at 2°C/36°F to 8°C/46°F. Failure to do so may result in decreased shelf life and/or sensitivity.
Orders only ship Monday- Wednesday.
Want a quote? Have questions? Contact us prior to ordering.
Microbiologique Pork Speciation
Microbiologique Pork Speciation tests are rapid and accurate tests for detecting species contamination of raw or cooked pork.
Prevent food fraud and unintentional contamination with these Pork speciation tests. Ideal for any facility working with meat, as well as food analysis laboratories. These kits quickly and easily detect the presence of unexpected raw or cooked pork. Lateral Flow kits are available in 10-test and 25-test kits for either raw or cooked meats.
Intended use
These kits are intended for sensitive and qualitative determination of either traces of cooked pork obtained from cooked meat samples. They are easily used for on-site testing, with some lab equipment. They do NOT detect pork residues on surfaces.
Performance Characteristics: Cooked Pork
- Limit of Detection: 1% Cooked pork
- Sample Preparation Time: <20 minutes
- Test Operation Time: 15 minutes
- Cross-Reactivity: Does NOT cross react with beef, goat meat , lamb meat, chicken meat, turkey meat, or horse meat
Intended use
These kits are intended for sensitive and qualitative determination of either traces of raw pork obtained from raw meat samples. They are easily used for on-site testing, with some lab equipment. They do NOT detect pork residues on surfaces.
Performance Characteristics: Raw Pork
- Limit of Detection: 0.1% Raw Pork
- Sample Preparation Time: <20 minutes
- Test Operation Time: 15 minutes
- Cross-Reactivity: Does NOT cross react with beef, goat meat , lamb meat, chicken meat, turkey meat, or horse meat
- Stomacher and 7 oz filter bags (Whirl-Pak B01385)
- Scale or balance
- Deionized water
- Vortex
- Pipettor and tips (p100 and p1000)
- Timer
- Calibrated Lateral Flow Device or Strip Reader (optional)
- Microcentrifuge tubes or containers to dilute buffer concentrate
The Microbiologique speciation tests require special handling and storage.
Lead time: Please allow 5-10 business days.
Kits require expedited shipping. You will be emailed after purchase if we require additional information and/or shipping fee adjustments.
Kits should be refrigerated upon arrival. Kits should be stored at 2°C/36°F to 8°C/46°F. Failure to do so may result in decreased shelf life and/or sensitivity.
Orders only ship Monday- Wednesday.
Want a quote? Have questions? Contact us prior to ordering.
Looking for Quantitative testing for speciation?
Lab testing and on site PCR testing is available.
Contact us for details and quotes.
