ATP Measurement: the front
line defence for food safety
processors, caterers
and inspectors. The
ATP hygiene test is the
simplest, fastest, most
sensitive technique for
rapid hygiene monitoring.
It correlates well with
contamination levels and is
widely accepted.
Preventing food poisoning is a key processing equipment and for
focus of any food safety system. environmental cleaning in high-
Food poisoning is usually caused care/high-risk areas, limits of
by the proliferation of undesirable acceptable and unacceptable cleaning
microorganism. Cross-contamination performance shall be defined. This
and inadequate sanitation are major shall be based on the potential
contributory factors. Accordingly hazards. Acceptable levels of cleaning
good hygienic practices are primary may be defined as visual appearance,
preventative controls measures that ATP bioluminescence, microbiological
are part of the essential Operational testing or chemical testing as
pre-requisites programs of modern appropriate.
food safety systems.
There are several test methods
Hygiene monitoring provides an available to measure hygiene and
early warning of potential problems cleanliness. ATP bioluminescence
and also generates evidence of has been used for over 30 years
due diligence. Optimising cleaning and is a well-established accepted
programs also reduces costs (in method that used by industry,
materials and labour time), reduces retailers and local authorities, and is
environmental waste and improves recommended by BRC. It has been
product quality and shelf life. used at major sporting events by
High standards of hygiene are
essential for food safety therefore
cleaning and maintenance are
the Food Standards Agency where
the technology had “exceeded
expectations”.
fundamental and critical procedures. The technology requires a small
There is an increasing requirement hand held instrument and an all-
to demonstrate due diligence by in-one reagent swab device. The
measurement to validate and verify developments in technology and
cleaning processes. For example, convenient format provide a variety
as referenced by the BRC Global of technologies and products
Standards for Food Safety – as a that are user-friendly, affordable
minimum food contact surfaces, and applicable to almost all food
20 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk
Hygiena’s EnSURE instrument with
increased sensitivity is used with
Micro-Snap and other specific tests
(e.g. ZymoSnap) and SuperSnap that
gives more sensitivity and robustness
and gives a super-sensitive hygiene
monitoring applications particularly in
support of allergen control programs.
Simple screening tests for Listeria
and Salmonella based on a visual
colour end point are also available
in Hygiena’s all-in-one snap valve
format. The devices do not require an
instrument and give results in 24 – 48
hours. To learn about Hygiena’s full
range of products visit hygiena.com
and follow us @HygienaInt.
Rapid hygiene tests provide an
additional information quickly to aid
food safety programs by facilitating
immediate corrective action and
avoidance of expensive (potentially life
threatening) mistakes. Results provide
evidence of due diligence, auditing,
optimising manufacturing processes
and reducing costs whilst providing
quality product.
For a free demonstration
[email protected]