Technical Bulletin: Reduced Enrichment for Detecting Listeria species from
Environmental Surfaces using the BAX® System Q7 and X5 Instruments

The BAX® System was evaluated in an internal study to detect Listeria species from environmental samples using a reduced enrichment. Low and high levels of Listeria and a non-target competitor strain were co-inoculated onto unpaired plastic and stainless steel surfaces. The inoculum was dried and then collected by sponge for subsequent analysis. Results from both surfaces and all BAX® System assays on the Q7 and X5 instruments demonstrated equivalent performance to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) reference method.

Introduction

Listeria can persist on various environmental surfaces in food processing and handling areas, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination. To mitigate this, processing facilities should prioritize thorough cleaning and sanitization of equipment. Additionally, environmental samples should be collected and tested for pathogens to assess the effectiveness of the sanitation program.