Genevision(TM) food safety tests -
Aug. 3 - Warnex Inc. (TSX: WNX), today announced that its Genevision(TM) food safety tests for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species have been granted Performance Tested(SM) status by the AOAC Research Institute, and become the third and fourth Genevision tests to be validated in the United States.
"AOAC validations are an important catalyst driving U.S. adoption as larger food producers require this recognition prior to converting their quality control systems," said Mark Busgang, President and CEO of Warnex. "We are currently pursuing AOAC validation for our Salmonella test and expect to receive it in the third quarter."
The AOAC Research Institute is a non-profit international scientific organization that administers the Performance Tested(SM) Methods Program. Within this program, a third-party review showed that the Genevision tests detected L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. as well as or better than traditional culture methods. The L. monocytogenes test was granted Performance Tested(SM) status for a "Variety of Foods", which required the validation of the method with at least 10 different food matrices from five different food groups. The detection of Listeria spp. was validated for "Selected Foods", including sliced ham, ground pork, sausages, pre-cut lettuce, yogurt, raw beef, raw cod filet, green beans, and mayonnaise.
Warnex's Genevision tests use state-of-the-art genomics-based technology to rapidly and accurately detect the presence of harmful pathogens in food products. The technology allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and processing of samples within 24 to 48 hours, a significant improvement over traditional microbiology tests that currently require 5 to 7 days.
Listeria infections, caused by eating contaminated food, affect primarily pregnant women, newborns, and persons with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include headache, fever, and nausea, but the infection may also result in miscarriage, stillbirth, blood infection, meningitis, and even death, if untreated. The bacterium is commonly transmitted through raw milk, unripened and other soft cheese, and undercooked meat and poultry. An estimated 2,500 cases and 500 deaths occur in the United States annually due to Listeria infections.
Most detection kits on the market test specifically for L. monocytogenes but not other Listeria species, which may also cause illness. Warnex provides tests that can detect specifically for L. monocytogenes or for the presence of any Listeria species.
