Biotrace International has a comprehensive range of environmental sampling products to provide the food industry with improved solutions for microbial and pathogen testing.

The range includes a choice of sponges and swabs available dry or pre-moistened with a variety of broths and buffers to neutralise the effect of cleaning chemicals and maximise the survival of damaged or stressed microorganisms.

The HydraSponge™ and SpongeSicle™ products utilise sterile, durable biocide-free sponges that help to ensure organism viability after sample collection. HydraSponge™ is a sturdy sponge designed for sampling large surface areas. SpongeSicle® has a large sponge head and a blue plastic handle, which allows the user to collect a sample without direct contact with the sponge. It is especially useful for collecting samples from hard-to-reach areas.

Both products are supplied in Biotrace's patented "perforation free" sample bag guaranteeing sterility of the sampling device until the point of sampling. The dual laminate film used in the construction of the sample bag is strong and puncture resistant.

To increase visibility on the production floor, the sponges are yellow and the tear-away portion of the sample bag and gloves are bright blue (both products are available with or without gloves).

Other sampling options in the Biotrace range include RediSwab™ and the TECRA® ENVIROSWAB™. The RediSwab is a 9 cm long dacron-tipped swab pre-filled with a choice of enrichment broth or neutralising solution in various fill volumes to allow for qualitative or quantitative use. The ENVIROSWAB is pre-moistened with a specially formulated transport medium to maximise the survival of damaged or stressed microorganisms. One of the main advantages of the ENVIROSWAB is that both the pre-enrichment and the incubation steps can be performed in the ENVIROSWAB tube.

Biotrace International offers a complete line of the products needed to check the safety and quality of food production processes; these include rapid pathogen, toxin and allergen kits, products for environmental and carcass sampling, dilution and enrichment, and ATP testing that gives a “real time” assessment of plant sanitation.