Welcome to our Environmental Monitoring for BRC Global Standards for Food Safety (BRCGS) series. Download our free guide today.

By taking a proactive approach to microorganism testing companies can mitigate problems before they arise. BRCGS clause 4.11.8 identifies requirements for incorporating testing into an environmental monitoring program allows for continual assessment of cleaning protocols at a microbial level.

Effective programs can be used to prevent contamination by acting as an early warning before they affect products.

Sampling and testing will differ from site to site depending on the risks assessed but all sites should have establish sampling protocols, identified test locations based on proximity to food contact areas, hard to clean areas, known problem spots (if they have previously tested positive).

Target organisms and pathogens should also have been established based on the risks presented in the environment. These may include specific pathogens (e.g. Listeria spp in wet environments or Enterbacteriaceae in dry environments), specific spoilage organisms (e.g. yeast or mould) or indicator organisms (e.g. total plate count, total coliforms).

With advances in technology indicator organism and pathogen testing can now be conducted on site with test such as Hygiena Microsnap and InSite Tests.

If the facility has laboratory testing capabilities onsite specific spoilage organism testing can be conducted using 3M Petrifilm Plates.

3M Petrifilm Plates

If you are still using agar dishes for microbial indicator testing you’re missing a big opportunity to not only boost your laboratory’s productivity and accuracy but also help meet your company’s sustainability goals.

Ready to use, reliable and compact, 3M Petrifilm Plates have streamlined, standardised and simplified microbial indicator testing for the food industry and can reduce your environmental impact compared to agar plates.

It’s a convenient, efficient, space-saving way to test in the modern food system. With significant productivity and performance advantages over traditional agar plates, 3M Petrifilm Plates have become the standard in microbial indicator testing for food production companies all over the world.

Hygiena MicroSnap™ Indicator Organism Tests

Hygiena’s MicroSnap Indicator Organism Tests bridge the time gap between ATP and bacterial culture results with convenient, same-shift tests for E. coli, Coliform, Enterobacteriaceae and Total viable count (TVC)

MicroSnap is a rapid bioluminogenic test method for the detection and enumeration of bacteria, giving actionable same-day test results. The MicroSnap test platform consists of an Enrichment Device containing a specific growth medium and a Detection Device containing a bioluminogenic (light-producing) substrate.

When MicroSnap detects the specific microorganism, light is emitted and measured with Hygiena’s EnSURE luminometer.

Hygiena InSite™ Listeria and Salmonella Tests

Hygiena InSite tests are an easy-to-use, self-contained, environmental test for the detection of Listeria species (InSite Listeria), Listeria species and Listeria monocytogenes (InSite L. mono Glo), and environmental Salmonella spp (InSite Salmonella) in food processing environments.

How Can We Help?

At Gem Scientific, we understand that environmental monitoring is a rigorous and multipronged methodology that requires diligent and well thought out management plans.

We are proud to provide a personal service that’s tailored entirely around your business. Our team work with companies to understand their unique requirements, then offer bespoke solutions to suit you.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you work towards your environmental monitoring goals:

• 01924 444577
• hello@gemscientific.co.uk
• LiveChat (available during business hours)