New BAX® System Test for E. coli O157:H7

Beef processors, service labs and other food industries can now use a new test from DuPont Nutrition & Health to quickly and accurately check beef and produce for contamination with E. coli O157:H7.

Developed in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, this BAX® System assay uses real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to quickly detect all known E. coli O157:H7, even atypical strains that can be missed by some other tests.

E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, illness at very low infectious doses--as few as 10 organisms. The BAX® System real-time assay was validated on industry standard sizes of ground beef, beef trim, lettuce and spinach that were spiked at 1-2 cells per portion, and it was found to perform as well or better than the reference culture methods.

According to Dr. Frank Burns, senior scientist at DuPont Nutrition & Health, E. coli O157:H7 is a highly complex and variable organism that can be challenging to detect at low levels. 'This new BAX® System assay is an extremely accurate and robust molecular method. Its rapid reaction time allows for quick test completion, which is essential for customers who hold perishable products while waiting for test results before shipping.'

Food processing companies around the world rely on the BAX® system to detect pathogens or other organisms in raw ingredients, finished products and environmental samples. The automated system uses leading-edge technology, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, tableted reagents and optimized media to detect Salmonella, Listeria species, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Cronobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio, and yeast and mold.

With certifications and regulatory approvals in the Americas, Asia and Europe, the BAX® system is recognized globally as one of the most advanced pathogen testing system available to food companies.