RAPID TESTS SUPPORT FSA INITIATIVES FOR SAFER FOOD

Hygiena International is supporting the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and local authorities by supplying simple, rapid test systems that provide instant information about surface cleanliness and its associated risks. The tests assist food law enforcement officers in inspections by identifying hotspots and inadequate hygiene practices. Corrective actions and advice on Good Manufacturing Practices can be provided on-the-spot together with real time objective measurements. The immediacy of the test results has a powerful impact on food processors and food handlers.

Helen Cameron (Senior Environmental Health Practitioner (Food Safety), Worcestershire Regulatory Services) said: “If a place looks clean it might not be. ATP Swabs are an excellent tool for verifying cleaning standards.  Swabs taken at more than one high risk business, which looked very clean and appeared to be heading for a good Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rating, subsequently proved to have high ATP readings. Further investigations brought to light that employees weren’t following established cleaning regimes, re-using cloths, etc. Without the SystemSURE it is unlikely this issue would have been identified.”

“A 2-year project in Worcester confirmed the agreement between a range of formal lab swabs and the ATP results. It has brought poor hygiene and cleaning practices to the attention of Food Business operators (FBO’s) and head chefs, and also demonstrates to all staff that the effort they put into cleaning is not wasted.”

Statistics indicate that every year food poisoning costs the UK >£500 million, 19 million sick days, 20,000 hospital admissions and 500 deaths. However the application of Hygiena technology enables the FSA and food inspectors in their mission to ensure that high standards of food safety are maintained by the coaching and encouraging of FBO’s to adopt best practice. Hygiena’s technology is called ATP bioluminescence and it measures 2 of the 4 areas that FBO’s should focus upon as part of their management of food safety, within the FSA coaching plan i.e. cross contamination and cleaning that typically cause 25% of food poisoning incidents. The SystemSURE Plus is a small portable instrument which uses an all-in-one reagent swab device to test surface hygiene as well as monitoring water quality in static and mobile catering facilities.

Other new tests that can be used on the SystemSURE Plus include CrossCheck that specifically measure raw meat residues and cross contamination as well as verifying cooking. Other simple disposable colour hygiene tests such as ProClean and SpotCheck Plus are available that can be used directly by butchers and small caterers themselves to monitor cleaning practices and demonstrate due diligence.

The FSA is a non-ministerial government department governed by a Board appointed to act in the public interest, with the task of protecting consumers in the relation to food.

Further information is available on request to:

Hygiena International Ltd
Unit 11
Wenta Business Centre
Colne Way
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD24 7ND

Tel: 01923 818821
Fax: 01923 818825

enquiries@hygiena.net
www.hygiena.net 

 

Company Information

 

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

Building on 30 years of manufacturing experience in ATP bioluminescence, and heralding the 10th anniversary of the Hygiena brand, the company continues to innovate to develop simple rapid detection products and solutions for its customers.

Hygiena’s market leading qualities of proven high performance, repeatability and cost effectiveness have made it the system for choice for many leading blue chip companies around the world.

1st liquid stable ATP detection reagent (1999)

1st universal ATP reagent swab device (2000)

1st truly portable low cost ATP Hygiene monitoring system (SystemSURE, 2003; improved 2006)

Independently verified and proven to give the best performance (2006, 2010, 2011)

Business award recognition in several industries

>25,000 systems sold

Range of simple colour hygiene tests

New test platform for 21st Century
- New EnSURE instrument (2011)
- More sensitive reagent (SuperSnap) supporting allergen control
- Detection of microbes and specific bacteria in 7 hours (MicroSnap)
- Detection of process indicators in <5 mins (ZymoSnap)

Hygiena’s promise is to supply products that deliver simplicity, convenience, excellent performance and value for money, backed-up by expert knowledge with first class service and support.