At Gem, we talk a lot about the importance of having a robust hygiene monitoring program. But that all falls flat if your swabbing technique isn't up to scratch. In this blog, we will highlight the best practices to achieve accurate, consistent and reliable results when swabbing surfaces for hygiene and environmental monitoring. HOW TO COLLECT A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE To collect a substantial sample on a flat surface, swab a 10 X 10 cm square. In a hard-to-clean area, swab as much surface as...

ATP monitoring is a quick, simple-to-use testing method for assessing the cleanliness of surfaces in food processing facilities. Food and beverage facilities are using ATP monitoring to validate that there is no presence of ATP. If there is a presence of ATP on a surface, it indicates it hasn't been cleaned properly. An unclean surface has the potential to harbour bacterial growth. The surface should be re-cleaned and re-tested with a luminometer. What is ATP? Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)...

Working to identify specific goals within your environmental monitoring program allows you to serve multiple complementary purposes. Although there isn’t a universally recognised framework for environmental monitoring, there are some approaches which are consistent with other parts of food safety and quality management e.g. HACCP. Environmental monitoring programs include a variety of tests e.g. ATP and indicator organisms to pathogens, allergens and spoilage organisms. Samples are collected...

What is Environmental monitoring for spoilage organisms? Environmental monitoring is used by food production companies to plan for microbial spoilage organisms as it allows them to address the issues as they arise. Quality management systems are useful because spoilage incidents can happen at irregular times. Without consistent monitoring, chronic issues can go unseen. Processing environments are considered to be the main contributor to microbial quality issues. Manufacturers use...

Recognising Food Safety and Quality Issues As the world increasingly recognises food safety and food quality failures, there's more emphasis on the environmental monitoring programs. In this blog, we discuss strategies and programs which are designed to help avoid cross-contamination of the finished product. Food processing and distribution facilities' environments are recognised as a source of chemical compounds, biological agents and physical hazards that could have a detrimental effect on...

Each month we will be looking into an industry. This March we are looking into the food industry. Stay tuned to our socials for videos and more blogs Week 1 We begin with micro-organisms. We will be taking a look at environmental monitoring and food process contamination. MicroSnap Range Petrifilm Range Hygiena™ EnSURE Touch Luminometer 3M™ Clean-Trace™ LM1 Hygiene Monitoring and Management System Week 2 Provide your facility with rapid and accurate hygiene verification...

With Listeria back in the news this week we wanted to explain in more detail what Listeria is, who it affects and how we could reduce the risk of it. Food manufacturers across the country regularly check production environments for the bacterium so they can protect consumers from harm. Here are the most common questions people ask about Listeria: What is Listeria? The full term for Listeria is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a bacterium that causes an illness called listeriosis. It is...

Find out how Slovakian beverage producer, McCarter uses the Ohaus MB120 Moisture Analyzer to maintain the quality of their beverage products. Nowadays more and more consumers are looking for healthy alternatives when deciding what to eat or drink. McCarter, a globally acknowledged food manufacturer from Slovakia understands those trends very well. Founded in 1997, this innovative and award-winning company produces beverages, including freshly pressed juices and plant milk. Their renowned...

Delving into the world of the burger with a handy infographic to show which product is used in every stage of a burger. From the bread to the surface you prepare it on, you need to test, analyse and clean. Testing bread with a 3M™ Gluten Protein Rapid Kit Streamline your process and simplify your food allergen testing with 3M Allergen Protein Rapid Tests – qualitative immunochromatographic assays for rapid in-plant monitoring of specific food allergens. For more information about...

The 3M™ Molecular Detection System (MDS) has been awarded a contract by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (the American equivalent of the UK's Food Standards Agency) as the primary system they use for e.coli, salmonella and listeria testing. The 3M system was chosen after a rigorous performance evaluation against other commercially available methods and it's award further validates the industry-leading standards that 3M are known worldwide for. Did you know that the...