Food, Dairy and Beverage Sample Process Solutions

Explore sample processing solutions

Your dedicated menu to better workflow sample solutions

We understand the needs and demands of sample processing in the quality control laboratory, relevant to the food, dairy and beverage industries. The sample processing stages are critical to creating the right workflow with the right solutions. The stages include sample collection, transportation, preparation of the sample, processing, and finally, disposal of the sample. It is critical to get the right results in the most timely fashion possible.  

 

Our focus is on aligning with the necessities for your needs and processes that support expedited production, enriching the bottom-line and supporting the production of safe products. We recognise the vital impact these processes have on your brand and organisation, and we are here to support you and your customers. 

It’s time to request a sample box

Your menu to a better workflow

Now is the time to explore the solutions for your QC sample processing, and some extra items that support your production areas. We have an extensive range to help support your business. Explore our range of solutions by partnering with one of our specialists. 

Microbiology

Testing of food and beverages for potentially harmful pathogens is a critical step taken by Microbiology QC laboratories before releasing batches of product for sale. This protects the consumer from both illnesses caused by these pathogens and from premature food spoilage.

Sample collection and transport for microbiology quality control

Selecting the right sample container ensures the sample retains integrity from collection to processing and storage. Choose clean, sterile, and inert containers. They should also have proper seals to prevent leakage or contamination. Sample collection devices matching this criteria will improve your outcomes and benefit test results.

 

Explore some of our leading sample collection options within our range:

One device from collection to transport and storage, made from food grade materials. Resistant to tears and puncturing and available in a wide range of sizes to suit sample size requirements. Maintain sample integrity during transport and storage and allow proper labelling and documentation allowing traceability throughout the sample collection and testing process. Because they store flat, more economical and ecological to ship, easier to transport to remote locations than hard containers.

Provides a visual indicator of temperature exposure during sample transport, providing assurance that samples being tested are not spoilt. Change colour and provide a visual display once a certain temperature threshold is exceeded. Strips attach to sample containers.

Sample preparation

Sample preparation is a key factor in achieving reliable results. Maintaining a clean environment ensures that the colonies being counted are representative of the sample being tested. Samples need to be mixed properly, aliquoted accurately, and grown on the right media for the specific organism to ensure that test results are valid. Controlling the process with positive and negative controls, and using correct temperatures and humidity provide optimal growing conditions, and the best chance of detecting contamination.

 

Explore some of our leading sample preparation options within our range:

This range allows the accurate delivery of liquids from very small volumes up to 50mL, in a sterile way. The pipettes are RNAse & DNAse free. A key feature is the bulk packaging of the serological pipettes, with 600 per box, packaged as 25 per bag, this makes accessing the products in high volume laboratories very easy. These are a cost sensitive option.

Filter papers allow the removal of larger solid particles, debris and unwanted contaminants from liquid samples to ensure a cleaner and more refined sample for subsequent analysis. Filter papers generally retain large particles for removal, while allowing bacteria, yeasts and molds and analytes of interest to flow through the paper for testing.

Ready to use in an easy dispenser pack, cellulose nitrate for colony counting with clear grid lines. The built in filter allows for convenient detection and enumeration of liquids.

Thicker bag allows preparation of frozen products, bones, sharp food items and are more robust than regular bags. Seward Stomacher helps maximise the recovery of microorganisms through its use of a unique paddle that even homogenization. This also facilitates accurate results. With a wide range of bag sizes are available, which can all be catered for by the Seward Stomacher. The stomacher can handle multiple samples at once, speeding up time to results.

Sample processing

Sample processing is the point in the process where results are achieved. The choice of process will be determined by the downstream use of the results and may be qualitative or quantitative. The choice of process will also be dependent upon access to various technologies, and weighed against cost, time to result and ease of use.

 

Explore some of our leading sample processing options within our range:

Particularly useful for small labs with limited space, petrifilms are pre-prepared films precoated with specific growth media for convenience. Ready to use and compact, the thin layer of media used on petrifilm also allows for faster time to result.

Sample storage

The retention of QC samples is critical. In the event of an erroneous result such as an unexpected positive, the ability to retest truly representative samples is crucial. Proper storage allows rapid identification of issues arising to these situations. Sample storage may be at room temperature, in fridges, freezers, and ultra-low freezers, as well as lyophilized samples. Sample storage temperatures should maintain the integrity of the sample. The use of monitoring tools, and secure storage containers and accessories helps ensure samples are safe and integral.

 

Explore some of our leading sample storage options within our range:

One device from collection to transport and storage, made from food grade materials. Resistant to tears and puncturing and available in a wide range of sizes to suit sample size requirements. Maintain sample integrity during transport and storage and allow proper labelling and documentation allowing traceability throughout the sample collection and testing process. Because they store flat, more economical and ecological to ship, easier to transport to remote locations than hard containers.

By using Traceable data loggers with ULT freezers, users can monitor and record temperature conditions, identify any deviations, and ensure that the freezer is maintaining the desired temperature range. This helps maintain sample integrity, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure the long-term storage of sensitive materials in ULT freezers.

Sample disposal

Different regions may have specific requirements for the handling, treatment, and disposal of biohazardous or hazardous waste. Disposal of autoclaved waste or incineration are both common methods of waste disposal, and both require the use of biohazard bags for the initial step of the process, allowing clear identification of contaminated samples.

 

See our recommendation for the safe disposal of your contaminated samples:

Designed for maximum protection and convenience, Thermo Fisher Scientific biohazard autoclave bags are bright yellow and feature a large biohazard symbol for instant recognition.

Chemistry

Food fraud, authenticity, plastic contamination, food safety

Food, dairy and beverage manufacturers have a responsibility to comply to stringent regulations in order to deliver safe and genuine products and to maintain consumer confidence and protect public health. Addressing food fraud, ensuring product authenticity, and minimising plastic contamination are critical for food, dairy, and beverage manufacturers to protect consumer safety, comply with regulations, maintain brand reputation, gain consumer trust, and stay competitive in the market. If you are not monitoring your production process and you have a failure, the last thing you want is to compromise your brand.

Sample collection and transport

Samples must be representative of the item intended to be tested, therefore unaltered by the collection and transport of the sample. Samples can undergo change if subjected to temperature change, chemical changed due to leaching/adsorption from the containers used to collect them, and extensive time before testing. Using appropriate containers, monitoring temperature and time, can mitigate erroneous results being produced.

 

Explore some of our leading sample collection and transport options within our range:

One device from collection to transport and storage, made from food grade materials. Resistant to tears and puncturing and available in a wide range of sizes to suit sample size requirements. Maintain sample integrity during transport and storage and allow proper labelling and documentation allowing traceability throughout the sample collection and testing process. Because they store flat, more economical and ecological to ship, easier to transport to remote locations than hard containers.

Sample preparation

Preparing the sample in such a way as to have a representative and homogeneous sample is critical for eliminating incorrect results. Chemical analysis often relies on high end equipment to be able to determine exactly what is in a sample, and as such has stringent preparation requirements designed for accuracy and equipment protection. Samples may need crushing, homogenizing, blending to provide a dry or wet sample for downstream processing. Dry samples may need to be dried, weighed and analysed for a range of parameters, and wet samples may need to be analysed using UHPLC, HPLC, spectroscopy. Filtration of samples further clarify analytes for improved results and analysis.

 

Explore some of our leading sample preparation options within our range:

Processes sample loads in one-third the time. Whatman™ Mini-UniPrep™ Syringeless Filters provide a faster and easier way to remove particulates from samples being prepared for HPLC and UHPLC analysis.

Used for solvent filtration multiwell plates – offers speed and convenience. 0.2um and 0.45um wwPTFE 350ul and 1mL plates for high throughput vacuum filtration for preparation/ clean up of liquid samples. (clean up protects expensive columns in systems such as UHPLC and HPLC).

The perfect compliment to syringe filters, a range of sizes and formats to suit the specific syringe filter connection are available.

Sample processing

Sample processing is the pivotal point in the process where results are generated. During chemical analysis, sample processing predominantly uses LC/ LC-MS/ Mass Spec/ ICPMS, GC-MS/ Spectroscopy. Such technologies involve the use of high value equipment. However, some processes are inexpensive and rapid to implement, and can be used to screen samples for analyte presence before quantifying on high end equipment.

Test strips for quick sample and in process testing. The strips are easily readable with large white space between graduations of colour and quick analysis. Some examples of usage:

 

- pH testing, nitrite, peroxide testing using strips – M-N- Dairy: Calium and phosphate testing.

- Nitrite testing- pollutant from agriculture

- Sulphate testing in wine

- Cyanide testing in brandy

- Ascorbic acid testing

- pH

Explore our test strips:

Sample storage

Sample storage for chemical labs is critical. Containment vessels need to be shown not to either add or remove any critical components from the chemical so that the chemical structure remains in tact. Some materials are subject to substantial change due to chemical contact, adding unwanted background into samples and tests. Storage vessels need to be clearly labelled to ensure that use by dates, hazard levels, material type is all noted.

 

Explore our range of sample storage solutions:

Glass is renowned for having low leachables and adsorbance, making it a very good product for the storage of chemicals. Clear and amber vessels provide for choice when light sensitive chemicals are in use.  

By using Traceable data loggers with ULT freezers, users can monitor and record temperature conditions, identify any deviations, and ensure that the freezer is maintaining the desired temperature range. This helps maintain sample integrity, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure the long-term storage of sensitive materials in ULT freezers.

Environmental monitoring

Measuring contamination in the environment that is being used for both manufacturing and QC testing can be critical. Air, water and surface monitoring are all conducted within the laboratory and critical production areas to ensure that contamination of product under manufacture is not occurring.

Sample collection and transport

As with all sample collection, maintaining the integrity of samples during collection and transport ensures that results from testing are representative of the operating environment. As such, sample containers must not contribute anything to the sample that could result in false results. Temperature during transport of samples must also be kept within expected limits that represent the exposure temperatures in the production environment.

 

Explore our sample collection and transport range for environmental monitoring:

One device from collection to transport and storage, made from food grade materials. Resistant to tears and puncturing and available in a wide range of sizes to suit sample size requirements. Maintain sample integrity during transport and storage and allow proper labelling and documentation allowing traceability throughout the sample collection and testing process. Because they store flat, more economical and ecological to ship, easier to transport to remote locations than hard containers.

By using Traceable data loggers with ULT freezers, users can monitor and record temperature conditions, identify any deviations, and ensure that the freezer is maintaining the desired temperature range. This helps maintain sample integrity, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure the long-term storage of sensitive materials in ULT freezers.

Sample preparation

Samples need to be prepared in such a way that the integrity of the analytes in the samples are maintained, but the sample is appropriate for the system to be used for processing. For example, turbid liquid samples may need prefiltration prior to final filtration in order remove unnecessary components from the sample. Concentration of bacteria and analytes allows for correct results to be attained.

Filter papers allow the removal of larger solid particles, debris and unwanted contaminants from liquid samples to ensure a cleaner and more refined sample for subsequent analysis. Filter papers generally retain large particles for removal, while allowing bacteria, yeasts and molds and analytes of interest to flow through the paper for testing.

The Sentino™ magnetic filter funnels, are specifically designed for the analysis of aqueous samples to detect microbiological and particulate contamination. They are particularly suitable for vacuum filtration of liquids, especially when employing the Membrane Filter (MF) Technique for analysis purposes.

 

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Sample processing

Sample processing must be done in a manner that ensures accurate and usable results are produced. It is the culmination of all sample preparation done prior to processing to identify the cleanliness of the environment that is being used. The results yielded from sample processing indicate to the operator what, if any, actions need to be taken to make sure that the production and testing environments meet cleanliness standards required for appropriate safety outcomes of the manufactured product.

 

Explore our sample storage range for environmental monitoring:

The wide, flat head on the Neogen swabs mean that more ATP is collected with each swipe of the swab, and surface areas are covered more quickly and more thoroughly than standard swabs. Work areas must be free of bacterial contamination. Swabbing the surface and testing for ATP in the surface swab gives a rapid indication of cleanliness of the area. Neogen AccuPoint is a small and convenient hand held device that allows ATP load to be measured, which in turn indicates contamination of the surface.

 

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Sample storage

Sample retention of environmental samples is critical for audit trails and analysis of erroneous results. The nature of the samples cannot be altered by storage, and correct labelling with sample type, collection area, time and date are essential for tracking.

 

Explore our sample storage range for environmental monitoring:

One device from collection to transport and storage, made from food grade materials. Resistant to tears and puncturing and available in a wide range of sizes to suit sample size requirements. Maintain sample integrity during transport and storage and allow proper labelling and documentation allowing traceability throughout the sample collection and testing process. Because they store flat, more economical and ecological to ship, easier to transport to remote locations than hard containers.

Sample disposal

Correct and safe disposal of environmental samples is needed to ensure safety of anyone exposed to the discarded sample. Safe, leak proof packaging clearly labelled as biohazardous where that applies helps prevent exposure.

 

Explore our sample storage range for environmental monitoring:

Designed for maximum protection and convenience, Thermo Fisher Scientific biohazard autoclave bags are bright yellow and feature a large biohazard symbol for instant recognition.

Outside of the laboratory

Thermo Fisher Scientific offer an extensive range of solutions that can help in and out of the sample processing stages.

The temperature strips mentioned are designed to provide a quick response. These strips are particularly useful in situations where it is impractical to measure temperature using traditional thermometers or similar devices. An example of their application is affixing them to the motor of a vehicle to detect any potential overheating issues.

Testing to ensure cleaning chemicals are not present in product. Peroxidase (dairy), chlorine and peracetic acid (beverage) are two critical areas.

 

Test strips for quick sample and in process testing. The strips are easily readable with large white space between graduations of colour and quick analysis. Some examples of usage:

 

- pH testing, nitrite, peroxide testing using strips – M-N- Dairy: Calium and phosphate testing.

- Nitrite testing- pollutant from agriculture

- Sulphate testing in wine

- Cyanide testing in brandy

- Ascorbic acid testing

- pH

Explore our test strips:

By using Traceable data loggers with ULT freezers, users can monitor and record temperature conditions, identify any deviations, and ensure that the freezer is maintaining the desired temperature range. This helps maintain sample integrity, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure the long-term storage of sensitive materials in ULT freezers.

General laboratory needs

General laboratory needs are an essential for any setting with sample collection, preparation, and disposal. We have an extensive range that supports quality control, safety and compliance, research and development and optimising your processes.

SecurePlus Gloves are single use and is a Nitrile Examination Glove. Carton contains 10 inner packs of 100 = 1000pc. They are powder & latex free.

We have an extensive range of wipes to help meet your needs, with a range that will suit your laboratory setting.