Colilert-18 and Colisure Receive PMO Approval from NCIMS

HAMILTON, N.J. — IDEXX Laboratories has received Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) approval from the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) for Colilert-18 and Colisure for coliform and E. coli testing in dairy source waters.

This approval follows other official recognitions by the USEPA, AOAC, IBWA and APHA.

Colilert-18 and Colisure are one-step tests that provide fast and accurate results for total coliform and E. coli testing in dairy source waters, the company said. They are newer versions of IDEXX’s Colilert test, which has been approved by the FDA for dairy source waters since 1994.

“IDEXX is pleased to announce that Colilert-18 and Colisure are now also FDA approved,” said James Spitzer, IDEXX Senior Worldwide Marketing Manager.

Distinguishing features include Colilert-18’s ability to provide confirmed test results in only 18 hours, and Colisure’s magenta color endpoint and 24-48 hour read-window.

“This represents a great opportunity for the dairy industry to use an easy, rapid, accurate test that has already been widely accepted by the water testing industry,” Spitzer added.

Colilert and Colisure are the only rapid chromogenic substrate (MUG) tests that are PMO approved and recognized for use by certified milk laboratories for negative and positive confirmation for total coliform testing, the company said.

The proposal to NCIMS was co-authored by Cathy Costa, senior regulatory affairs specialist, dairy, and Dr. Manja Blazer, senior market development and government affairs manager, both of IDEXX.

In addition to their full range of regulatory approvals, Colilert and Colisure tests boast several features that make them ideal for a wide variety of source water applications, such as sanitation, product rinsing, and water as an ingredient.

With less than one minute of hands-on time, Colilert and Colisure tests provide total coliform and E. coli results within 18 or 24 hours — 30 to 72 hours sooner than traditional methods. The pre-measured, unit-dosed products are ready to use and allow collection, incubation and reading to be done in the same vessel.