IEH offers expedited full microbiological testing services for pathogens,
microbial indicators, microbial toxins, and spoilage organisms following,
but not limited to, USP, AOAC, ISO and FDA BAM methodologies.
Turnaround time: 1 – 5 days
Current tools in microbiological testing are limited to testing for specific pathogens or indicator organisms. The IEH Process Control Testing (PCT) Program takes a wholly new approach, and aims to measure the degree of “control of the production process” based on the simultaneous detection of the presence or absence of multiple broad groups of microbes at various stages of the processes and in the production environment. The broad groups include spoilage organisms, environmental contaminants and groups that share markers with pathogens of interest.
The end result of a PCT test is an index score, the Process Control Index (PCI). The score is generated by a proprietary algorithm. In general, higher scores indicate more biodiversity, and scores which exceed an established threshold are indicative of an increased risk of microbes being present which share genetic markers with pathogens of interest though the target microbes
themselves are not pathogens.
The PCI score is suitable for process control for raw material acceptance/qualification programs, finished product quality evaluation and environmental monitoring programs (sanitation efficacy). IEH provides, at no cost, Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts to facilities using the IEH PCT test, similar to the SPC chart shown here.
For returning customers, download the Sample Submission Form and send it back to us.
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