A recent spate of food product recalls reported through the Food Standards Agency highlights the continued need for routine food testing to prevent the outbreak of disease and financial losses connected to product withdrawals. Microbiology specialists Lab M provide an extensive portfolio of culture media products capable of supporting a comprehensive food hygiene programme.

Products include the Harlequin™ range of chromogenic media, which support the rapid detection of key foodborne organisms and reduce the need for subculture or confirmatory tests.

"If there is a problem with a food product it may have to be withdrawn from the market," said Phil Large, Lab M´s Sales and Marketing Manager. "As well as bringing risk to public health, product withdrawals incur financial losses which companies need to avoid, especially in today's financial climate."

Recently, the FSA has circulated reports of food recalls including Listeria spp. in ground cumin and smoked mackerel fillet and Salmonella spp. in tapas meat. Food hygiene programs within manufacturing plants and catering outlets should therefore incorporate routine testing for contamination to ensure the safety of food products.

Lab M's Harlequin™ chromogenic range includes microbiological culture media for the isolation and presumptive identification of Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes or salmonellae in foods. Harlequin™ Listeria Chromogenic Agar and Harlequin™ Salmonella ABC Medium each deliver a rapid, accurate means of selectively isolating, enumerating and differentiating organisms.

A full list of Lab M's culture media portfolio is available at www.labm.com