3M Environmental sampler abrasive swab sensitivity
Hello and happy Thursday everyone.
Ive been sampling at my facility for about 3 months, and the results im receiving are very inconsistent (even though that is the idea of EM, im having trouble maintaining a state of control). When I came on board, the supplies they have are these (https://www.sosclean...BiABEgKEbfD_BwE) 3M environmental samplers with an abrasive padding to break up biofilm. Ive reviewed the past year of data, and similar results are being seen. High TNTC Counts in random areas, nothing to correlate, and our limits are very stringent (<100 required for passing). I am swabbing after sanitation, due to the nature of the facility I cannot implement a program where I allow product to run for a couple hours and then swab, our runs are about 45 min - 3 hours. Previous years results show that they have HUNDREDS of tests that are 0-20 APC readings, and I believe they were just using a qtip swab or soft sponge. My question is, unless im doing investigation for biofilm, would it be wise to switch to a soft sponge/qtip swabbing method. I feel like im shooting myself in the foot with the abrasive swabs, im starting to drown in CAPA reports. Does anyone have experience with these samplers? Thank you!
Hi our company has been doing qtips and cotton swabs for Environmental and Product Contact Swabs. I think it's okay to use qtips for APC reading but for environmental I would not recommend. We have not been having positive Salmonella since forever here :((
Hi our company has been doing qtips and cotton swabs for Environmental and Product Contact Swabs. I think it's okay to use qtips for APC reading but for environmental I would not recommend. We have not been having positive Salmonella since forever here :((
What are you processing?
Hello and happy Thursday everyone.
Ive been sampling at my facility for about 3 months, and the results im receiving are very inconsistent (even though that is the idea of EM, im having trouble maintaining a state of control). When I came on board, the supplies they have are these (https://www.sosclean...BiABEgKEbfD_BwE) 3M environmental samplers with an abrasive padding to break up biofilm. Ive reviewed the past year of data, and similar results are being seen. High TNTC Counts in random areas, nothing to correlate, and our limits are very stringent (<100 required for passing). I am swabbing after sanitation, due to the nature of the facility I cannot implement a program where I allow product to run for a couple hours and then swab, our runs are about 45 min - 3 hours. Previous years results show that they have HUNDREDS of tests that are 0-20 APC readings, and I believe they were just using a qtip swab or soft sponge. My question is, unless im doing investigation for biofilm, would it be wise to switch to a soft sponge/qtip swabbing method. I feel like im shooting myself in the foot with the abrasive swabs, im starting to drown in CAPA reports. Does anyone have experience with these samplers? Thank you!
What is your sanitation like? No sense even thinking about changing your swabbing process until you've FULLY investigated your sanitation procedures (which means you my friend are working nights for a couple of weeks)
What is your sanitation like? No sense even thinking about changing your swabbing process until you've FULLY investigated your sanitation procedures (which means you my friend are working nights for a couple of weeks)
Could you elaborate? Cleaning and sanitizing is done during the day, production starts at 7 AM, ends at 3 PM, sanitation leaves around 4. We use ProKlenz One and NpH, Oxonia Active, and dawn detergent. We also have ultrasonic cleaners. We utilize SporeKlenz on targeted equipment that has a history of Bacillus issues. Turnover rate for our equipment can be as high as 16 hours because we are too meticulous about our cleaning. The goal is to get that number down to about 4-8 hours. I have yet to observe every cleaning and sanitizing procedure but we have thorough work instructions for every item in the facility.
What are you processing?
Coconut related products