Insights Unveiled: Four experts share perspectives on food safety innovation and the road ahead

We are always in the process of developing innovative products to enhance our portfolio and cater to our customers' evolving food safety testing needs. We're a team of scientists who are always looking for better, more innovative ways to get things done.

A prime example of our commitment to this is the introduction of our Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced in 2021.

In a traditional lab, counting individual colonies on each Petrifilm Plate is a manual process, which can be especially daunting for labs handling thousands of plates daily. If there are a significant number of colonies, it could take a minute or more per plate - that adds up quickly. With the Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced, you get results in six seconds or less.

But it's not just about speed; it's about efficiency. With the manual approach, technicians have to jot down results in an Excel spreadsheet or their lab's information management system, and then review the data later. The Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced revolutionizes this by allowing you to affix a barcode to the plate and then simply insert the plate into the device, and it does the work for you. It captures an image of the barcode, extracts the information, and seamlessly stores it in the software, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of human error.

This product offers a game-changing combination: elimination of technician errors, enhanced traceability through stored information linked to specific plate images, and a drastic reduction in the time required to count plates.

As we look to the future, there's an evident and growing shift - particularly among commercial and contract labs - toward the necessity of automation in sample preparation and result collection. This trend is gaining even more significance, especially in the aftermath of COVID, where labor shortages have persisted, particularly in the food production industry.

In addition, the demand for consistency in data collection is on the rise. Whether it's food testing, environmental testing, or chemical testing, there's a clear need for a unified system where all data seamlessly flows. The idea of a one-stop shop for comprehensive data management is becoming increasingly crucial in ensuring streamlined and efficient processes.

We continue to focus on leveraging science to address the needs of customers that are currently unmet or could be better served. We are committed to filling these gaps and providing innovative solutions that enhance the overall customer experience.