The AOAC Research Institute has recently extended certification of the BAX® system from DuPont Nutrition & Health as a Performance Tested Method^sm for detecting Listeria in food products.

The PCR assay for Genus Listeria was previously validated by AOAC-RI with proprietary enrichment media on environmental surfaces only, but now food companies and service labs can use non-proprietary media with the BAX® system for reliable Listeria detection in both food and environmental samples.

Compared to reference methods used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service for detecting Listeria, AOAC-RI found that BAX® system results were statistically indistinguishable from the culture methods.

'Being able to use this assay to test food samples is an important advancement for our customers,' said Kevin Huttman, president -- DuPont Nutrition & Health. 'Furthermore, having flexible enrichment options will allow food companies to adopt a testing procedure that most conveniently fits their schedule.'

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 also detect Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mold.

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.