Ensure the highest standards of water quality in your food production
Water is essential in the food industry, used for cleaning, sanitation, and as an ingredient. Its quality impacts both safety and product quality. Contamination can occur at any stage, posing significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms in water can cause diseases, making it essential for water used in food production to meet safe drinking water standards.
Protect your production lines and public health
From processing lines and cooling systems to cleaning protocols and ingredient inputs, waterborne contaminants can pose serious risks. Among the most concerning pathogens is Legionella, responsible for severe respiratory infections such as Legionnaires’ disease. Its presence in water systems - especially in biofilms, storage tanks, and aerosol-generating equipment - poses a significant threat to food production facilities and associated testing laboratories.
Legionella: A persistent threat in water systems
Legionella spp. are opportunistic pathogens naturally found in freshwater environments. They become a significant public health concern when they proliferate in man-made water systems. Infection typically occurs through the inhalation of contaminated aerosols, making water cooling towers, food processing machinery, misting systems, and other industrial water systems potential points of exposure.
Stay ahead with real-time PCR detection
Regulations governing Legionella detection have become more stringent. Real-time PCR can be a time-saving solution for detecting Legionella in water samples, offering:
- Rapid detection (results within hours - ensuring quick action)
- High sensitivity, even at low bacterial loads
- Species-level differentiation, including L. pneumophila
- Detection of VBNC cells, often missed by culture
Discover our real-time PCR kits for Legionella detection
The Legionella kits are developed in accordance with ISO 12869 (2019 -04).
- SureFast® Legionella Screen PLUS: Ideal for broad-spectrum screening and early warning monitoring.
- SureFast® Legionella pneumophila PLUS: Specifically detects L. pneumophila, enabling targeted surveillance in high-risk areas.
- SureFast® Legionella 3plex: Simultaneously identifies Legionella spp. and Legionella pneumophila, streamlining workflow for comprehensive risk assessment.
Comprehensive Water Hygiene Monitoring
While Legionella remains a critical concern, water systems in food production facilities can also harbor a wide range of other microbial threats. A proactive hygiene strategy requires a broader analytical scope. Our molecular testing portfolio supports this approach with specialized real-time PCR panels designed to detect key pathogens and indicators relevant to food industry water systems.
- SureFast® Fecal Screen 4plex: Qualitative detection and differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococci, E. coli for food hygiene risk assessments.
- SureFast® Parasitic Water Panel 4plex: Simultaneous detection of Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium spp.
- SureFast® Pseudomonas aeruginosa PLUS: Rapid detection of a key hygiene indicator in process and utility water, useful in validating CIP systems and assessing residual contamination.
Seamless Integration and High-Confidence Testing
Each of these PCR kits is designed for compatibility with your Legionella workflow, ensuring seamless integration, consistent reporting, and minimal hands-on time using automated DNA extraction. Together, they provide a complete solution for labs and producers seeking high-confidence, high-throughput microbial water testing.
Elevate Your Water Testing Standards
Water can contact food directly or indirectly and is used in maintaining hygiene and sanitation throughout the food chain. In a regulatory landscape that demands speed, accuracy, and traceability, real-time PCR helps to mitigate risk, maintain compliance, and protect public health.
Let’s elevate water testing standards - together. Download the Water Analysis brochure here.
Get Started Today
To learn more about R-Biopharm's real-time PCR kits, request information, or arrange a demo, visit R-Biopharm Food Safety or contact us using the Ask a Question button below.
