Food
safety has become one of the most important issues in today’s world. With
growing populations and increasing demands on food production systems, ensuring
the quality and safety of our food supply is more critical than ever before.
Thankfully, the field of food diagnostics has made tremendous strides in recent
years to help address this challenge. Through innovative new testing methods
and technologies, we now have more powerful tools than ever to screen for
contaminants, identify pathogens, and inspect food quality at faster speeds and
lower costs.
Pathogen Detection Methods
One of the major areas of progress has been in pathogen detection techniques.
Traditional microbiological testing Food
Diagnostics for identifying foodborne bacteria like Salmonella,
Listeria, E. coli and others could take several days to get results. However,
new molecular diagnostics using techniques like PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
have dramatically accelerated the process. PCR-based tests can identify the
presence of pathogens in as little as 6-8 hours. This allows for much quicker
decisions to be made about potential recalls or other corrective actions if a
contamination issue is found.
PCR is also increasingly being combined with immunoassays for even faster
“real-time” pathogen testing. Real-time PCR integrates target amplification and
detection into a single step, providing results in just 1-2 hours. Furthermore,
multiplex PCR tests have been created that can simultaneously screen for
numerous pathogens in a single analysis. For instance, assays exist that can
check for Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli O157:H7 with one test. Such
high-throughput capabilities are a major time-saver for food processing
facilities and regulatory labs.
Non-Destructive Testing Methods
Another significant advancement has been the emergence of non-destructive
testing technologies. Traditional microbiological methods require preparing
samples in a way that destroys the material being analyzed. But newer optical
and spectroscopic techniques allow inspecting food intact without compromising
its safety or commercial value. Hyperspectral imaging, for one, uses light
across visible and infrared wavelengths to detect defects, rot, bruises or
contaminants on intact fresh produce like berries, herbs and leafy greens. It
provides a full “image” of any issues without cutting into the food.
Likewise, X-ray technology continues enhancing food safety examination.
Dual-energy X-ray allows examination of meat, seafood and processed foods to
spot foreign objects like bone fragments or plastic without opening sealed
packages. Combi-systems even integrate X-rays with checkweighing and metal
detection in one integrated inspection process. And new microfocus X-ray tools
offer resolutions down to 1 micron, helping detect even the tiniest
contaminants invisible to the naked eye. Such breakthroughs will be important
as food producers aim for zero-defect production goals.
Advancing Allergen Testing
Ensuring accurate allergen labeling is also a huge priority, and food
diagnostics continues making important contributions here. ELISA (enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay) tests have long been the workhorse for qualitative
allergen checks in food manufacturing. Newer ELISA kits now provide lower
detection limits of just 1-5 parts per million (ppm) for top food allergens
versus 10-20 ppm previously. Mass spectrometry techniques have also enhanced
accuracy and efficiency in both qualitative and quantitative allergen residue
analysis.
LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) allows simultaneous
multi-allergen screening at levels below 5 ppm in a single run. This is highly
valuable since contaminated ingredients may contain residues from multiple
allergens. Furthermore, new Peptide Immunoassay techniques such as R5 offer a
rapid qualitative assay with similar sensitivity to ELISA but with results in
only 10 minutes versus hours. Such testing innovations will aid companies in
meeting increasingly stringent “may contain” labeling thresholds.
Ongoing Advances in Foodborne Toxin
Testing
Foodborne illness outbreaks from toxins like staphylococcal enterotoxin require
especially timely analysis. Current diagnostic methods are making great strides
here as well. New additions to the suite of biosensor technologies employ
aptamers – synthetic DNA or RNA molecules that bind to specific target
molecules. One aptasensor created by Korean researchers can detect
staphylococcal enterotoxin type A in less than 30 minutes, far faster than
standard ELISA. Additional aptamer-based tests in development target other
high-risk toxins including ricin, T-2 mycotoxin and aflatoxins.
Furthermore, developing nations continue adopting affordable rapid methods like
lateral flow immunoassays to screen for toxins at point-of-need locations. A
newly developed lateral flow dipstick, for example, qualitatively detects
ochratoxin A – a carcinogenic mycotoxin commonly found in cereals and coffee –
within 15 minutes. As affordable, easy-to-use tests proliferate globally, more
communities will gain basic access to food safety screening where none existed
before.
food
diagnostics stands on the threshold of many new scientific horizons that should
continuously transform food safety practices. The development of reliable,
high-throughput, non-destructive and rapid analysis techniques is changing the
paradigm of hazard detection. Facilitated by ongoing improvements, the future
of food testing promises ever-tighter integrated safety nets to serve both
industry and consumers alike. Conquering global challenges in affordability and
availability will likewise lift standards across the developing world. Coupled
with smart data analytics and traceability systems, diagnostic technologies are
key to enabling safer, more transparent and accountable food systems
worldwide.”
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Author:
Money
Singh is a seasoned
content writer with over four years of experience in the market research
sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages,
biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods,
etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
