Responding to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicating Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) kills 25% of those who are infected while getting treatment or residing in a healthcare facility, the Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on June 2, 2017, released a memorandum entitled, “Requirement to
Q Laboratories has purchased two buildings (1920 and 1930 Radcliff Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio) as part of their ongoing capacity expansion project. The two buildings sit adjacent to the 30,000 sq. ft. laboratory building currently under construction, scheduled to be completed in Spring 2018. The newly-acquired buildings entail 25,000 sq. ft., and will eventually serve as
In this age of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) it is increasingly important that the methods you (or your third-party lab) are using are validated by a recognized organization. Methods contained in the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (FDA-BAM), the USDA-FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook, as well as methods approved by independent, non-governmental bodies such as
As the weather warms and the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, thoughts turn to outdoor activities and enjoying the pleasant weather. What follows is the inevitable need for sunscreen/sunblock products to help keep consumers and their families safe. This requires sunscreen product manufacturers to perform due diligence to assure the products they place
The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) is defined as the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial ingredient or agent that is bacteriostatic (prevents the visible growth of bacteria). MICs are used to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various compounds by measuring the effect of decreasing concentrations of antibiotic/antiseptic over a defined period in terms of inhibition of
Q Laboratories is now an HC Information Resources Inc. (hcinfo.com) approved Legionella Sampling and Testing Service Provider. Q Laboratories, Inc. can design a legionella sampling plan for businesses implementing a building water management plan for legionella control, or evaluate existing plans with building managers. Q Laboratories, Inc. analysts are trained in collection and sampling of
With the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), as well as the recently released FDA Guidance on controlling Listeria monocytogenes in RTE foods, it is more important than ever to have a carefully designed, robust Environmental Monitoring (EM) program in your food manufacturing plant. Effective design of your EM program is essential to
Q Laboratories, Inc. is excited to offer our clients faster turn-around times for their Yeast and Mold testing. Utilizing the Biomerieux TEMPO® YM Assay, results that used to take five days can now be turned around in three. TEMPO® YM is an official AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested Method for numerous matrices including, cheese, yogurt,
Q Laboratories, Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio) has been named an AFNOR Certified Expert Laboratory, thereby qualified to perform validation studies on instruments, test kits and materials for the food microbiology testing industry in France. Representatives of Q Laboratories, Inc. were in Paris, France the week of January 22nd to present before the Association Française de Normalisation
In the last few years, the FDA has focused on increasing awareness of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections associated with heater-cooler devices and the subsequent risks to patients in health care facilities. The FDA reports that there were 32 reports of infections associated with heater-cooler devices or bacterial heater-cooler device contamination between 2010 and 2015, but
The FDA requires manufacturers of reusable medical devices to provide reprocessing instructions that ensure that the device can be used safely and for the purpose for which it is intended. Developing and validating these instructions can be a complex and highly specialized activity. Guidance on this process can be found in a document created by
While traditionally considered low risk, low moisture foods are susceptible to pathogen contamination as evidenced by recent cases of Salmonella contamination in dairy powder, paprika powder, black pepper, toasted oats cereal, peanut butter, and chia powder. Research has shown that while pathogens do not thrive in low moisture foods, they do survive very well in
Q Laboratories, Inc. has added another tool to our microbial identification capabilities by acquiring the Bruker MALDI Biotyper®. This technology allows for rapid, cost-effective, accurate identification of thousands of microorganisms (including yeasts and filamentous fungi) using state-of-the-art technology. It can be used for environmental, product and/or research and development applications. Classification and identification are based
Post-election angst about the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare, has spilled over into the food/restaurant industry. Since the new Menu Labeling requirements for restaurants with 20 or more units, as well as rules for vending machines and supermarkets that serve ready-to-eat food, are part of the ACA, industry stakeholders are anxiously
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)]. Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers,
Two (at least) recent food recalls were the result of FDA inspectors finding a positive pathogen result on an environmental monitoring (EM) sample, such as a swab or sponge. More troubling to hear was the fact that the positive result came from a sample taken from a Zone 3 or 4 location, meaning a non-food
Another aspect of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that attempts to provide food protection throughout the entire supply chain is the safe food transport rule. According to an FDA press release, “the rule will require those involved in transporting human and animal food by motor or rail vehicle to follow recognized best practices for
Due to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), pet food now faces similar FDA regulations as human food. Companion animal food and treats are now subjected to Good Manufacturing Practices and Preventive Controls, just like the food you put on your table. The pet food industry has experienced recalls and alerts due to pathogen contamination in the
Founded in 1966, Q Laboratories, Inc. has served the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, health & beauty care and OTC industries, providing cutting-edge microbiology and analytical chemistry laboratory services. For 50 years, we have helped companies around the world produce safe, high quality products and assisted them in maintaining the high level of excellence they demand for
As a leader in the microbiology and analytical chemistry laboratory industry we will utilize this blog to keep other industry stakeholders apprised on issues in the industries we serve as well as relevant information on what is happening at Q Laboratories, Inc. Stop back often!!
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