New Article Discusses Causes and Resolutions for Discrepancies in the Microbiological Analysis of Foods

Members of the Verification/Validation subgroup of IAFP’s Analytical Methods Professional Development Group (PDG) published a series of articles in Food Protection Trends discussing validation of new food matrices for use with accredited rapid methods.  Authors include experts from Deibel Laboratories.  The focus has been on determining a more practical approach for conducting these types of studies.  The articles are quite popular among readers, as three of them have won Food Protection Trends’ Most Viewed General Interest Publication Award.  Their most recent article “Discrepancies in the Microbiological Analysis of Foods: Causes and Resolutions” appears in the July/August 2024 issue of Food Protection Trends. 

This new article discusses the types of problematic results that can arise during microbiological testing of food and food processing environments, which potentially undermine the effectiveness of food safety programs.  It outlines steps for their resolution and offers readers a structured approach for evaluating the multiple contributing biological, technological, and human factors.  To assist in troubleshooting and identifying the root causes of these problems it gives examples of 15 common root causes.  It also presents measures to prevent the recurrence of discrepant and ambiguous results.  These measures are rooted in a robust laboratory quality system incorporating validated methods, standard operating procedures, calibrated equipment, maintenance of meticulous records, proficiency testing programs, and continuing education opportunities for laboratory personnel.  In conclusion, the article advocates for comprehensive risk assessment of problematic results and offers actions to strengthen the application of microbiological methods within food safety programs, in line with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s objective of preventing adulterated food products from entering commerce.

Past publications in Food Protections Trends by the Validation and Verification Subgroup include: 
• Evaluating Microbiological Method Equivalence – A Decision Guide – 2024 Award Recipient 
• Selection of Pathogen Strains for Evaluating Rapid Pathogen Test Methods Applied to New Matrices – 2023 Award Recipient 
• Alternative Approaches for Qualitative Microbiological Method Matrix Additions 
• Microbiological Detection Methods — Assuring the Right Fit – 2020 Award Recipient