• Reducing time-to-results: RapidChek® Listeria NextDay™ helps producers to meet “test-and-hold” requirements by reducing time to result for certain environmental and food samples from 48 hours to 24-27 hours
• Re-branding: This reduced time-to-results enables customers to obtain next day results, hence the RapidChek® Listeria F.A.S.T. product line is rebranded to RapidChek® Listeria NextDay™

Romer Labs have announced that its RapidChek® Listeria NextDay™ test system earned Performance-Tested Methods^SM (PTM) certification from the AOAC Research Institute for various ready-to-eat foods with a 27-48 hr. enrichment. The AOAC PTM certification extension for food samples validates RapidChek Listeria NextDay™ as equivalent to the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service’s (FSIS) 48-hour methodology for detecting all 6 Listeria species on food samples, including hot dogs, roast beef, frozen breaded chicken and meatballs and equivalent to the FDA BAM 48-hour methodology for various dairy products. The RapidChek Listeria NextDay™ system had previously received AOAC PTM certification for monitoring environmental surfaces, including stainless steel, rubber, plastic and concrete under the brand name RapidChek Listeria F.A.S.T. ™ System.

According to the USDA FSIS, dozens of food product recalls within the last 3 years could have been prevented if the industry routinely followed the “test and hold” practice. With “test and hold” now in place, many processors are moving from traditional 40-48 hour Listeria methods to faster, one-day rapid methods due to storage and spoilage costs. The NextDay™ system is designed to provide food processors with the benefits of reduced material and processing costs as well as enhanced workflow and reduced time-to-results to meet these needs.

Michael Prinster, CEO at Romer Labs North America, said, “The extension of our AOAC-PTM certification for the RapidChek Listeria NextDay™ system will allow processors and testing labs to obtain next-day results for ready-to-eat food samples using the same cost-effective, accurate test system that has successfully been implemented in many facilities around the world for environmental samples. RapidChek® Listeria NextDay™ will enable food processors to reach results faster, without comprising accuracy. We are very pleased with this AOAC certification and believe that our test system will serve to further strengthen Romer’s position in the pathogen testing market.”