Oxoid, marketing partner for the DuPont Qualicon BAX® System Q7 automated food pathogen detection system, has launched the BAX System real-time PCR assay for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in raw minced (ground) beef and powdered infant formula.

S. aureus are often found on human skin, in nasal passages and in the environment. Some strains of S. aureus produce toxins that can cause illness when ingested through contaminated food, such as meat and dairy products. Whilst certain levels of the bacterium can be tolerated in some foods, most infant formulations including those of dairy origin should not contain any S. aureus.

Traditional methods to test for S. aureus in food require 2 - 6 days for cultural growth and manual enumeration. The BAX System real-time PCR assay for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus dramatically reduces testing times, providing food companies with next-day presence/absence results.

The BAX System Q7 allows molecular technology to be incorporated easily into routine testing of food, both raw ingredients and finished products. The system’s tabletted PCR reagents, automated PCR thermo-cycling process and easy-to-use software all provide increased confidence for laboratory staff and ultimately for food companies and consumers. In addition to the new S. aureus assay, the BAX System can test for Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria spp., E. coli O157:H7, Enterobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter species, and Yeasts and Moulds.