3M Brings Althernative Testing Method to Beverage Industry

3M Food Safety has launched Petrifilm Aqua Plates, bringing modern, reliable convenience of food microbiology testing to the global water and beverage processing industries.

The new product builds upon the 3M PetrifilmPlate, a microorganism testing tool for food processers throughout the world for over 26 years, and will be available immediately for testing bottled water in beverage and food processing plants.

Containing a water-soluble gelling agent, nutrients and indicators, the plates test for the four most common contaminates that threaten a company’s product: heterotrophic count, coliform, yeast and mold, and enterobacteriaceae.

“The plates are easy to use and offer quality assurance professionals the opportunity to streamline their testing process," said Eric Amann, global marketing development manager, 3M Food Safety. "Results from third party testing have shown the 3M Petrifilm Aqua Plates perform similar to global standard methods.”

Those working in the water and beverage industries face more rigorous safety regulations and increased quality expectations from customers every year, the company said, adding 3M’s Petrifilm Aqua Plates allow producers who make their own agar to experience consistent quality, ease of use, and increased productivity, while creating less waste and using less storage space.

An industry study conducted with 292 food-processing plants demonstrated an 80 percent increase in technician productivity (tests per hour), saving companies an average of 3.7 hours per day of technician time.

To learn more, visit www.3M.com/foodsafetyor call 1-800-328-1671.