Setting limits for lab testing
Hi,
I have been asked to set up a lab contract for nutritional, shelf life, listeria swabbing. The problem I am having is that the lab have asked me for what limits have they to work to. I know what tests need to be done. I don't however fully understand the limits as everywhere I have worked before the lab contract was already set up. I am UK based.
Hi,
I have been asked to set up a lab contract for nutritional, shelf life, listeria swabbing. The problem I am having is that the lab have asked me for what limits have they to work to. I know what tests need to be done. I don't however fully understand the limits as everywhere I have worked before the lab contract was already set up. I am UK based.
Hi jl,
I anticipate that relevant comments will relate to what kind of products (RTE/ NRTE etc, etc) you are referring to ?
The listeria swabbing is for the environment ?
Hi jl,
I anticipate that relevant comments will relate to what kind of products (RTE/ NRTE etc, etc) you are referring to ?
The listeria swabbing is for the environment ?
Hi, yes that would be a good start. It will be RTE products such as bakery goods and jarred jams and chutney. Listeria will be for environment and also water outlets.
Most companies I've seen and/or worked with set their Listeria limits to 0 cfu/g.
As for shelf life and nutritional info:
- The nutritional info needs ot be as exact as the local labelling legislation of your customers requires.
- Shelf life: I would want to see that the microbiological limits of the product will remain inside the limits you list on your specification for the duration of shelf life.
Most companies I've seen and/or worked with set their Listeria limits to 0 cfu/g.
As for shelf life and nutritional info:
- The nutritional info needs ot be as exact as the local labelling legislation of your customers requires.
- Shelf life: I would want to see that the microbiological limits of the product will remain inside the limits you list on your specification for the duration of shelf life.
Hi SHQ,.
"0" cfu/g is a rather unscientific micro.limit albeit by no means unfindable. :smile:
I have never encountered anyone checking Listeria in water ?
Hi SHQ,.
"0" cfu/g is a rather unscientific micro.limit albeit by no means unfindable. :smile:
Never encountered anyone checking Listeria in water ?
Yes, you're right. Normally it's reported as "Not detected" or "Absent". How much that effectively is, depends on the exact method and detection limit the lab is using.
Let me rephrase: go for the stricted possible limit your local labs can achieve.
Charles, water outlets (drains) is what the poster said a favorite place for listeria to thrive
Charles, water outlets (drains) is what the poster said a favorite place for listeria to thrive
Ahh, thanks, maybe another case of Earth English -
water outlet.PNG 22.34KB 0 downloads
Thanks everyone. I am going to phone the lab and use some of the advice you have given. Hopefully I will get it over the line :unsure: