A new BAX® system multiplex assay from DuPont Nutrition & Health that detects E. coli O157:H7 in beef has been certified as Performance Tested Method No. 050501 by the AOAC Research Institute.

Validation studies compared BAX® system performance to the standard culture method used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. AOAC-RI found that the automated BAX® system multiplex assay performed significantly better than the culture method for detecting E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef. Moreover, proprietary BAX® system media reduced enrichment time to just 8 hours for quicker results. An optional express protocol also shortened processing time by 60 minutes.

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 monocytogenes, Listeria species, E. coli O157:H7 and Enterobacter sakazakii. With certifications and regulatory approvals in the Americas, Asia and Europe, the BAX® system is recognized globally as the most advanced pathogen testing system available to food companies.