Matrix Additions to Rapid Pathogen Detection Methods- Part 1: Assuring the Right Fit

May 31, 2023 (1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time U.S./Canada)

Webinar Description

The food safety industry is rapidly evolving to address the new regulatory requirements set forth by the Food Safety Modernization Act. End-users, such as food manufacturers and third-party laboratories, must ensure that analytical methods, designed to detect hazards, are fit-for-purpose for their specific commodities. Most commonly used pathogen detection methods have undergone rigorous validation through third-party certification bodies such as AOAC, AFNOR, MicroVal, and others. This creates a list of officially validated matrices limited to the foods and method parameters outlined in the study. This often falls far short of what is seen routinely during end-user testing. Matrix evaluation studies are used to extend the method scope to a new matrix or test portion size. Here, we provide guidance on alternate evaluation approaches using a food-similarity grouping and a risk-based questionnaire to help end-users determine an appropriate level of evaluation for their method of choice.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the gap(s) in the scope of validation for rapid pathogen detection methods.
2. Learn how to perform a risk assessment for method performance.
3. Learn how to group food matrices based on intrinsic properties.
4. Learn how to select an enrichment condition for a matrix evaluation study.

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