Innovative 3M system detects food-borne pathogens

MANILA, Philippines - Dangerous food-borne pathogens are a real threat to public health and to the food industry. This is the reason why 3M Healthcare’s Food Safety Division has introduced a speedy, revolutionary way to detect harmful microorganisms in food.

The 3M Molecular Detection System is powered by an innovative combination of unique technologies to provide a solution that is fast, accurate, easy-to-use and affordable. It is pathogen testing made pure and simple.

This revolutionary system was launched recently by 3M to food processing industry leaders like Dole Philippines Polomolok, Unilever Philippines, Kraft Foods, Zenith Foods, Yulefest Corp., Edward Keller (Philippines) Inc. and Bounty Fresh Foods Inc.

Jun Barnes, technical supervisor of 3M’s Healthcare Food Safety Division, said, “The 3M Molecular Detection System (MDS) is a unique innovative combination of two technologies: isothermal DNA amplication and bioluminescence detection. It is the latest major innovation from 3M Food Safety after revolutionizing the food processing industry 25 years ago with 3M Petrifilm Plates — a ready-to-use plating system used to test various food-borne microorganisms.”

The 3M Molecular Detection System was designed with food processing businesses’ pathogen testing needs in mind.

“3M MDS enables food processors to evaluate the safety of their food products within hours, unlike traditional methods, which take five to seven days before laboratories can detect pathogens,” Barnes said.

“The innovation greatly benefits the field of microbiology because it detects three of the most dangerous food-borne pathogens — Salmonella, E.coli O157 (including H7) and Listeria, in one run,” Barnes added.

Jun Barnes, technical supervisor of 3M’s Healthcare Food Safety Division.

The automated technology has been used successfully on a variety of food types, including produce, meats, processed foods, pet food and food processing-related environmental samples.

The robust system is sleek and compact and takes up less counter space than a laptop computer. It is portable and adaptable to various lab environments.

Barnes also said food production businesses can now conduct fewer repeat tests to help them address problems better and make decisions faster.

“Through this new system, customers are given assurance of the specificity and sensitivity that they want in a pathogen test that is also fast and accurate at a reasonable cost. The system gives our customers the molecular accuracy they want without having to sacrifice productivity.” Barnes said.