Food Safety Assurance

Leveraging our expertise in the microbiological evaluation of medical devices and the environments in which they are produced, SA Labs now offers similar services for food processing, packaging, and distribution.  Particularly the warehousing, packaging, and distribution of fresh and fresh-cut produce.  We provide quantitative bioburden assessments of both fresh produce itself and of the air, water, and hardware in the facilities in which it is processed, packaged, or stored.  These assessments can include quantitative counts that are specific for coliforms, including E. coli, salmonella, and  L. monocytogenes (Listeria), as well as non-specific counts of total colony forming units, CFUs.  These types of assessments can be a valuable addition to the regular environmental monitoring program in any facility.  See, for example, the utility of the produce rinse water monitoring program in the photos appearing below.

All assessments are conducted according to AOAC protocols or FDA guidelines and Certificates of Conformance to those methods or guidelines are issued, where appropriate. 

We also offer organism specific identifications to the genus and species level using 16s r-RNA gene sequencing.    

UV light enhanced photo of membrane filtration culture from spinach
leaves rinsed with overused, contaminated water

UV light enhanced photo of membrane filtration culture from spinach
leaves rinsed with recently refreshed rinse water