Hi all,
I have a client who for some reason decided to use dry ice in a shipping container for shipping frozen poultry samples for microbiological analyses. Samples are shipped overnight by a courier company. Initially, the client has been using ice bricks and gel pack but they think their recent positive results are due to their packaging conditions. This was the reason that they decided to introduce the use of dry ice but they did not consult us.
When the samples arrive at the lab they are still in frozen conditions. However, my concern is the packaging conditions might be damaging some cells, therefore, affecting the final microbial results.
Can I have your opinion on the use of dry ice for sample transportation for microbial testing!!?
Hi Renatus,
Afaik and IMEX (seafood) dry ice has been used for several decades for shipping frozen goods for subsequent BCP evaluation.
I assume the samples are in a sealed packaging and do not come into direct contact with dry ice blocks.
I looked up approx. 10 random references from Google.
8/10 had no objections, eg these links -
https://www.ams.usda...logical-testing
http://www.inspectio...5/1353610619804
https://www.fda.gov/...s/ucm070875.htm
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One accepted but with a caveat -
If sample must be shipped to the laboratory, follow procedures above and pack frozen sample in contact with dry ice to maintain temperature as low as possible during shipment. Pack sample in a container such as a paint can or Nalgene bottles which are impervious to CO gas, because absorption of CO2 by the sample could lower the pH and diminish the viability of C. perfringens. Store sample at -70 to -90°F on receipt and keep at this temperature until examined, preferably within a few days.
https://www.fda.gov/...s/ucm070878.htm
(Also see this vaguely related link -
http://www.rapidmicr...ped-on-dry-ice/
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One accepted generally but not for micro. analysis. No explanation given, ie -
Note: Dry ice should not be used when shipping samples for microbiological analysis as the dry ice could alter the results.
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency) (Possibly the previous caveat was the reason).