Report on Staph Testing Methods and Results

 

Report on Staph Testing Methods and Results

 Sample ID: KHL2241

Lab: Hill Labs

Staph Test Result: 140 cfu/g

Method Details:

Automated Most Probable Number (MPN) count on TEMPO STA

Incubation at 35°C for 24-27 hours

Equipment: bioMérieux TEMPO

Detection Limit: <10 CFU/g

Specification as per Regulation: <50 CFU/g

Lab: Analytica

Staph Test Result: Not Detected/25g

Method Details:

Method: APHA 39.61

Detection Limit: Not Detected/25g

Specification as per Regulation: <50 CFU/g

Differences in Methods

Sample ID	Lab	Staph Test	Method Details	Detection Limit	Specification as per regulation
KHL2241	Hill labs	140 cfu/g	Automated MPN count on TEMPO STA, Incubated at 35°C for 1 24-27 hours. bioMérieux, TEMPO.	<10 CFU/g	<50 cfu/g
KHL2241L	Analytica	Not Detected/25g	APHA 39.61 method.	ND/25g	<50 cfu/g

Detection Technique:

Hill Labs: Uses an automated MPN count method with the TEMPO STA system by bioMérieux. This is a quantitative method where results are given in colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g).

Analytica: Uses the APHA 39.61 method. This method typically involves culturing and is often used for qualitative detection, resulting in a "not detected" (ND) output if no bacteria are found in the tested sample volume (25g).

Detection Limit:

Hill Labs: Can detect down to <10 CFU/g, providing a precise count if bacteria are present.

Analytica: Reports detection as "Not Detected" per 25 grams, meaning that if any Staph is present below the detection threshold in that sample size, it will not be detected.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative:

Hill Labs: Provides a specific count (140 cfu/g) indicating the exact level of contamination.

Analytica: Provides a qualitative result, indicating presence or absence without specifying the number.

Compliance with Regulations

According to New Zealand regulations, the release criteria for Staph levels in the tested product are set at <50 cfu/g.

Hill Labs Result: 140 cfu/g, which exceeds the regulatory limit.

Analytica Result: Not Detected/25g, which complies with the regulatory limit.

Summary and Recommendations

The method used by Hill Labs is more sensitive and provides a quantitative measure of bacterial presence. Their result indicates a level of contamination (140 cfu/g) that does not meet New Zealand’s regulatory criteria (<50 cfu/g).

Analytica’s method, being qualitative, detected no Staph in the 25g sample tested, thus complying with the regulations. However, it may not detect low levels of contamination that are above 50 cfu/g but spread out in a larger volume.

Given the discrepancy in results, it is advisable to:

·        Review the sampling procedures to ensure consistency.

·        Consider retesting the samples using the same method for both tests to ensure comparability.

·        If quantitative results are preferred for accuracy and compliance, the method used by Hill Labs could be considered more reliable.

****Note: Request Hill Labs to provide a report indicating results of <50 CFU/g instead of <10 CFU/g. For example, if the obtained value is around 22 CFU/g, please amend the specification value as per regulations.

·        Ensuring consistency in testing methods and understanding the sensitivity and specificity of each method will help in making informed decisions about product safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

        

 

         Reviewed By

Honey Expert & Technical Consultant IANZ Technical Expert BRCGS- Food quality & Safety Expert Ex. IANZ Authorized Representative Ex. Key Technical Person for Manuka Health & King Honey