Escherichia coli O157:H7 Proficiency Testing Scheme
In recent times, there has been a number of significant food poisoning outbreaks associated with the pathogen E. coli O157:H7. Increasingly, customers are looking for assurances that not only are their products free from the organism, but that the laboratories undertaking product testing are proficient.
Global Proficiency offers an E.Coli Proficiency Testing Scheme for laboratories testing product to ensure it is free from the organism.
E. coli O157:H7 Background Information
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an enterohemorrhagic strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli and a cause of foodborne illness. Infection often leads to hemorrhagic diarrhea, and occasionally to kidney failure, especially in young children and elderly. Most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef, drinking unpasteurized milk, swimming in or drinking contaminated water, and eating contaminated vegetables.
Laboratories play an important role in helping to ensure that product is free from the organism.
E.Coli O157:H7 Schedule
New Zealand Laboratories: Samples are dispatched in May and November.
Australian Laboratories: Samples are despatched in June and December.
E.Coli O157:H7 Sample Description
Samples are offered as a four-sample set (freeze-dried vials) incorporating a combination of organisms within the samples including challenges for differentiating E. coli O157:H7from other E. coli strains, and addition of other contaminant organisms. Note: The target organism is at lower levels.
A small component of meat is included with the samples for inclusion in the enrichment process.
E.Coli O157:H7 Test Details
Test method options available within the E. coli O157:H7 Pathogen programme include:
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Detection (Present / Absent)
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Confirmation (Present / Absent)
Further tests may be made available upon request, depending on the number of interested participants.
Additional samples are available to test as reference materials, or for follow-up and clearing alerts incurred in the round.
