3 replies to this topic

[Nazia Ammad]

Hi Everyone

 

we have recently developed the "ready to eat frozen curries". In these curries, the meat part is seafood (fish & shrimp) and curry part is based on tomatoes puree, some spices, onion, ginger garlic pastes, oil and water (Asian style curries). after cooking, curry is fill in air tight PP (polypropylene) plastic boxes (filling temperature is around 60-70C) and then freeze through blast freezing. All samples are kept in cold store at -18C for shelf life study.

Now we need to check these samples for microbial count. I need your help that how to draw the sample from these frozen boxes. our heating instructions for consumers are to heat for 5 min in micro wave oven before eating (boxes are microwave safe). I have three methods in my mind for sampling 

1. heat sample box for 5min in micro wave oven and then take the sample

2. thaw sample box at room temperature and then take the sample

3. thaw sample box at controlled temperature in refrigerator and then take the sample

 

please suggest if any of the above is correct method of sampling or if you want to suggest me some different method. 

 

[LILDANNY50]

Hi Nazia, 

 

I'd go for options 2 or 3 as you want to know what the product is like after it leaves your site. If you go for option 2 I'd also consider some possible temp abuse by the consumer e.g. do you get the same result if they did happen to thaw at room temp. 

 

Also be cautious of spores - depending on your product hurdles and cooking time/temp combo. 

 

Thanks 

[Charles.C]

Hi Everyone

 

we have recently developed the "ready to eat frozen curries". In these curries, the meat part is seafood (fish & shrimp) and curry part is based on tomatoes puree, some spices, onion, ginger garlic pastes, oil and water (Asian style curries). after cooking, curry is fill in air tight PP (polypropylene) plastic boxes (filling temperature is around 60-70C) and then freeze through blast freezing. All samples are kept in cold store at -18C for shelf life study.

Now we need to check these samples for microbial count. I need your help that how to draw the sample from these frozen boxes. our heating instructions for consumers are to heat for 5 min in micro wave oven before eating (boxes are microwave safe). I have three methods in my mind for sampling 

1. heat sample box for 5min in micro wave oven and then take the sample

2. thaw sample box at room temperature and then take the sample

3. thaw sample box at controlled temperature in refrigerator and then take the sample

 

please suggest if any of the above is correct method of sampling or if you want to suggest me some different method. 

 

This is textbook Micro.

 

eg -

Thawing

Use aseptic technique when handling product. Before handling or analysis of sample, clean immediate and surrounding work areas. In addition, swab immediate work area with commercial germicidal agent. Preferably, do not thaw frozen samples before analysis. If necessary to temper a frozen sample to obtain an analytical portion, thaw it in the original container or in the container in which it was received in the laboratory. Whenever possible, avoid transferring the sample to a second container for thawing. Normally, a sample can be thawed at 2-5°C within 18 h. If rapid thawing is desired, thaw the sample at less than 45°C for not more than 15 min. When thawing a sample at elevated temperatures, agitate the sample continuously in thermostatically controlled water bath

 

https://www.fda.gov/...mple-homogenate

 

Other standard core drilling instruments are also available for frozen products.

.

Depending on the product presentation it may be possible to allow a modicum of natural thawing and use a sterile scalpel.

[Nazia Ammad]

thank guys, your input made my work very easy and also now I am much clear on sampling method. thanks again