Visual Colour Change Verifies Salmonella Sampling Procedure 

The latest addition to the Hygiena line of rapid micro-organism tests is InSite Salmonella, which is a rapid and convenient colorimetric Salmonella species test for environmental surfaces. Its all-in-one test format contains both the pre-enrichment and selective enrichment procedures, maintains security and minimises the risk of cross contamination. It also retains the active culture for any subsequent verification and identification tests.

InSite Salmonella is a self-contained, ready-to-use swab test which contains a specialised liquid medium which changes colour when Salmonella species are present in the sample. A colour change from purple to bright yellow indicates presence, with positive results in as early as 24 hours from sample collection. A short pre-enrichment period of 6 hours gives the optimum and earliest detection of presumptive positive samples in the 24 hour period. Optional overnight or 24 hour pre-enrichment enables detection of such samples in 48 hours. The all-in-one test device eliminates the need for sample preparation materials, saving material and labour costs.

InSite Salmonella’s convenient design eliminates the need for any special preparation, measurement, or enrichment outside the test device, simplifying the assay so any level of user can successfully run the test, thus virtually eliminating the possibility of operator error.

The incorporation of a large foam swab bud improves sample collection, while enabling the coverage of a large surface area for environmental surface testing. The neutralising non-selective pre-enrichment broth utilised enables detection for even low numbers of Salmonella. It also minimises the effect of residual sanitisers while also facilitating the recovery of stressed cells. InSite provides a proven performance for the detection of Salmonella, but with little interference from non-Salmonella bacteria.

Environmental pathogen screening, such as with InSite Salmonella, is a critical element of a comprehensive environmental monitoring program for certain food manufacturers. Not only does environmental monitoring verify a sanitation procedure is effective, it is also part of a well-designed preventive control verification program. The US Food and Drug Administration’s proposed rule for preventive controls in the Food Safety Modernisation Act suggests emphasis on environmental pathogen monitoring for food processors with significant contamination risk. Accordingly, InSite Salmonella meets the needs of food processors for a rapid, convenient, and affordable environmental pathogen screening test kit.