Hygiene Monitoring
From raw materials and water supply to packaging, the food production environment is susceptible to microbiological contamination. Hygiene monitoring in combination with quality control can ensure sanitary conditions of the food and beverage manufacturing facilities and minimize the cross-contamination risk of products and personnel within applicable environments. This can be achieved by routinely verifying the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection practices of equipment, personnel, and high-touch surfaces for microorganisms.
To rapidly monitor surface hygiene and cleaning efficacy, we utilize well-known and accepted detection methods such as ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), NAD/NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), and protein detection. These methods serve as reliable indicators. For rapid microbial testing, our offerings include solutions for air monitoring (active and passive), foodborne pathogens (PCR, Immunoassays and ELISA), as well as eMcollect Cloth, Swab & Sponges.
For traditional monitoring, we use various selective media (Dip Swab Testers & Contact Slides) to monitor hygiene conditions on surfaces or in liquid samples. Additionally, our range of analytical reagents and photometric systems enables disinfection control through semi-quantitative and quantitative testing of chlorine and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Find our application note library for ATP, Allergen Indicator Protein, air monitoring and more for hygiene monitoring methods.
Related Resources
- Flyer: eMcollect Sterile Sampling Device
eMcollect swab cloths and sponges comply with ISO 17604 and ISO 18593 standards and are effective in collecting environmental monitoring samples. Download the flyer to know more.
- Flyer: FLASH® Allergen Indicator Protein (AIP) Test for “Big 9”
FLASH® AIP Test, a rapid and reliable protein indicator test that can detect allergenic proteins from “Big 9” including sesame
- Application Note: FLASH® RT Allergen Indicator Total Protein Test
FLASH® RT is designed for use at room temperature and can detect as little as 20 µg of total protein within 10 minutes.
- Application Note: ATP Testing Comparison on Disinfectants
The impact of disinfectants & sanitizers on the ATP signal is studied using a panel of industrial products commonly applied in the food, beverage and other regulated industries.
- Application Note: FREE vs Total ATP
Total ATP is the sum of free ATP and intracellular ATP. ATP is permanently renewed and recycled within the cell, but its production immediately stops when the cell dies.
- Brochure: MVP ICON® ATP Testing System
MVP ICON® sampling devices are designed to compensate for variations in swabbing technique, so no matter how many technicians you have or the frequency of staff turnover, you can be assured of accurate, consistent readings.
- Application Note: HY-LiTE® Testing of Paints and Coatings Samples
Regular microbial monitoring of paints and coatings is important to ensure timely action that affects quality and processes.
- Application Note: HY-LiTE® Surface Testing for Biofilm Contamination
The presence of biofilm in a system may sometimes be diagnosed by elevated readings of extra-cellular (Free) ATP and/or other metabolites in the liquid.
- Application Note: HY-LiTE® Plus – Testing of Biocide Efficacy
This document describes the method to demonstrate the speed and mode of action of different Biocides in water samples naturally contaminated or spiked with bacterial cultures.
- Application Note: Suspended Reading of HY-LiTE® Tests
The HY-LiTE® Liquid Test Pens are ready-to-use pens that measure total ATP in liquid samples using the HY-LiTE® 2/2A luminometer.
- Application Note: Suitability of MC Media Pad® for Hygiene Monitoring
The study focused on usage of MC‑Media Pad® in passive air, personnel and surface monitoring in comparison to standard test methods.
- Brochure: Swab & Sampler Test Kits for Quality Control
This technique eliminates the cumbersome and expensive hardware and materials associated with traditional testing techniques.
- Flyer: Envirocheck® Dip Slides
Envirocheck® Dip Slides provide semi-quantitative detection of microorganisms on surfaces and in liquids.
- Article: Navigating Disinfection Control in Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Learn about disinfection control and how to select the right disinfectant among the various options available in its methods and instrumentation based on photometry and reflectometry.
ATP Testing
The ATP test is a sensitive and rapid method to measure growing microorganisms through the detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy-carrying molecule found in living cells.
Our MVP ICON® is an ATP test system and software platform that combines HACCP and hygiene monitoring with powerful program management capabilities.
For specialty industrial applications such as fuel testing, industrial process fluids, and monitoring of bioburden for water quality, our HY-LiTE® 2 ATP monitoring system with TREND2 software provides unparalleled measurement and performance.
Protein Testing
Food contact surfaces may appear clean but can still contain traces of protein residue, which is difficult to remove. Undetected, this can provide a nutrient source for harmful bacteria to grow. And since most food allergens are proteins, regular protein testing can be an effective method for verifying cleaning methods and avoid cross-contamination to allergen-free products. The FLASH® total protein test gives a visual readout with results within 10 minutes, allowing corrective action to be taken immediately. No instrumentation is required, and the test can be used by all personnel without the need for extensive training.
NAD Testing
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (NAD, NADH) are compounds that are found in all living cells, including microorganisms. HY-RiSE® detection test kits measure quickly and reliable NAD and their phosphates and indicates the presence of microorganisms by color development on the test strip.
DIP SWAB TESTERS & CONTACT SLIDES
Swabs and dip slides are designed for surface monitoring on difficult to access areas. These techniques do not need the cumbersome and expensive hardware and materials associated with traditional testing methods.
Ready-to-use dehydrated Dip and Swab testers are designed for convenient microbial counting in a broad range of applications. They are convenient and easy to use, suitable for liquid and swab samples.
Our Envirocheck® Dip Slides for semi-quantitative detection of microorganisms on surfaces and in liquids are flexible paddles that are coated with different nutrient media. After sampling and incubation, two parameters can be determined in one step.
Elevate Your Hygiene Standards with eMcollect
eMcollect offers a range of sterile devices specifically designed for efficiently sampling work surfaces in the food industry. These sterile sampling devices assess the effectiveness of disinfection processes, even in the presence of residual disinfectants on the sampled surfaces.
Benefit from the key features that make the eMcollect sterile sampling device the most versatile solution for environmental monitoring:
- Cloth swabs measuring 34 x 16 cm with a honeycombed structure for effective sampling.
- Various options for cloth swabs and sponges, including those with neutralizing agents for monitoring cleaning effectiveness.
- Resealable bags for easy use, compatible with homogenizers.
- Different configurations of sponges, including those with sticks for hard-to-reach areas.
Rapid Methods
| Product | Target(s) | How to Measure | Instrumentation required? | Reading Time to Result (TTR) | Assay Storage & Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVP ICON® System | ATP, conductivity & concentration, pH, temperature | ATP swabs read in luminometer; other parameters via optional probe | Yes | 18 sec | Room Temp |
| HY-LiTE® 2 System
| ATP in surface, liquid, industrial samples, and Jet A1 Fuel | Application-specific ATP pen read in luminometer | Yes | 16 sec | 2–8 °C |
| FLASH® RT Colorimetric Assay | Total protein including allergens | Protein swab colorimetric assay (presence / absence) | No | 10±4 min | Room Temp |
| HY-RiSE® Colorimetric Assay | NAD / NADH and their phosphates | Colorimetric assay using test strips and 3 reagents (wetting, substrate, enzyme) | No | 4 – 5 min | Room Temp or 2–8 °C |
Traditional Methods
| Product | Target(s) | How to Measure | Instrumentation required? | Reading Time to Result (TTR) | Assay Storage & Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dip & Swab Tester | Total viable count, coliforms, yeast and molds | Counting of the microbial colonies on single side after incubation | No, except for incubator | 24–72h | Room Temp |
| Envirocheck® Dip Slides | Total count, enterobacterium, E. coli, coliforms, yeast and molds | Counting of different microbial colonies on sides A and B after incubation | No, except for incubator | 24h to 7 days | < 15 °C |
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