3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate Earns AOAC Distinction

3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate has been granted the Official Methods of AnalysisSM (OMA method number 2018.13) validation by AOAC International. The plate, which had previously earned the AOAC Performance Tested Method certification as well, is a next-day indicator test that quantifies the presence of E. coli and other coliform bacteria. 3M Food Safety introduced the two-in-one indicator test in February 2018 as a versatile microbial test that enables food and beverage processors to realize greater operational efficiencies and ship products sooner, the company said.

“We are thrilled that this test has been recognized as an official testing method,” said Adriana Robayo Niño, 3M Food Safety global marketing manager. “Our aim is to always provide reliable, accurate solutions that save our customers both time and money, and the 3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate has succeeded in that goal.”

The test improves actionable time-to-result by requiring only three steps: inoculation, incubation, and interpretation. By eliminating subsequent confirmation steps and enabling a simultaneous dual readout, the plate increases productivity and reduces overall lab costs, the company said.

The approval process for becoming an Official Method involves intense review by multiple, independent laboratories and subsequently by an expert review panel. The full study conducted for the AOAC Official Method of Analysis validation of the 3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate will be published in an upcoming edition of the Journal of AOAC International, available online at http://eoma.aoac.org

For the Certificate of Compliance (Certificate Number 2017LR76), MicroVal, ISO 16140-2, an international certification organization tested the release on a wide variety of matrices and also found that the product was equivalent or better than a standard reference method.

“MicroVal is a very well-respected organization and the Certificate of Compliance is an important certification for our customers that speaks to the strength of the technology,” said Robayo.

For more information, contact your regional sales representative, call (800) 328-6553 or visit http://3M.com/RapidEcoli.