mears analysis & variation selection guide · mears analysis guide nestlé quality assurance...

Please use this as a reference of the available analyses and analysis variations within the NQAC Dublin MEARS form. The variations are listed

in table format followed by descriptions explaining the differences.

MEARS ANALYSIS & VARIATION SELECTION GUIDE

Nestlé Quality Assurance Center · [email protected] · 614.526.5200 · NQACDublin.com

DOP-759-1003 Microorganism Identification ............................................................................................... 3

ISO-15213.2003 Sulfite Reducing Anaerobic Bacteria and Spores ............................................................... 3

ISO-4831.2006 Coliform MPN ....................................................................................................................... 3

ISO-7251.2005 E. coli MPN ........................................................................................................................... 3

LI-00.701-1 Aerobic Plate Count - Pour (30°C) .............................................................................................. 4

LI-00.701-2 Aerobic Plate Count - Pour (37°C) .............................................................................................. 4

LI-00.701-3 Aerobic Plate Count - Petrifilm (37°C) ....................................................................................... 4

LI-00.709 Enterobacteriaceae MPN .............................................................................................................. 4

LI-00.713 Salmonella Isolation- For plates/slants ......................................................................................... 4

LI-00.718 Enumeration of Bacterial Spores .................................................................................................. 5

ISO-7937:2004 Clostridium perfringens........................................................................................................ 5

ISO-7932:2004 Enumeration of Presumptive Bacillus cereus....................................................................... 5

LI-00.731 Lactic Acid Bacteria ....................................................................................................................... 5

LI-00.736 Contaminating Flora Count (Pour Plate) ....................................................................................... 5

LI-00.738 Coliform/E. coli Petrifilm ............................................................................................................... 6

LI-00.759 Salmonella iQ-Check ..................................................................................................................... 6

LI-00.742 Salmonella VIDAS .......................................................................................................................... 7

LI-00.743 Cronobacter @ 300g ..................................................................................................................... 7

ISO-6888:2003 Staph – MPN ......................................................................................................................... 7

LI-00.763-3 Staph – Petrifilm ........................................................................................................................ 7

ISO-11290-2 Listeria Enumeration (Quantitative) ........................................................................................ 8

LI-00.757 Enterobacteriaceae - Pour Plate ................................................................................................... 8

LI-00.758 Enterobacteriaceae – Petrifilm ..................................................................................................... 8

LI-00.794 Enumeration of Probiotic Bacteria ................................................................................................ 9

NQA-00-4006 Thermophilic Plate Count ...................................................................................................... 9

NQA-00-4100 Mold & Yeast .......................................................................................................................... 9

AOAC_2007.06 Staph Enterotoxin by ELISA ................................................................................................. 9

LI-00.705 or LI-00.705 FS - Listeria LPT .................................................................................................. 10

NQA-CFIA-MFHPB-29 - Canadian Listeria method ................................................................................... 10

NQA-00-4411 Thermoduric Acidophilic Bacillus (TAB) ............................................................................... 10

NQA-00-4420 Osmophilic Mold and Yeast ................................................................................................. 11

NQA-57-0003 E. coli O157:H7 BAX® PCR .................................................................................................... 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS


MEARS ANALYSIS GUIDE


DOP-759-1003 Microorganism Identification

Identification of unknown organisms through various identification techniques. There are no variations for this analysis.

ISO-15213.2003 Sulfite Reducing Anaerobic Bacteria and Spores

Enumeration of sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria and spores.

Mesophilic Vegetative Cells (CFU/mL) - DEFAULT Liquid products requiring direct plating only.

Mesophilic Spores (CFU/mL) - DEFAULT Liquid products requiring direct plating only.

Anaerobic Thermophilic Vegetative Cells (CFU/mL) - DEFAULT Liquid products requiring direct plating only.

Anaerobic Thermophilic Spores (CFU/mL) - DEFAULT Liquid products requiring direct plating only.

Mesophilic Vegetative Cells (CFU/g) Dry products.

Mesophilic Spores (CFU/g) Dry products.

Anaerobic Thermophilic Vegetative Cells (CFU/g) Dry products.

Anaerobic Thermophilic Spores (CFU/g) Dry products.

ISO-4831.2006 Coliform MPN

MPN enumeration of Coliforms. This is often paired with ISO-7251.2005 for E. coli MPN enumeration.

10 Tube MPN (/100mL) - 37°C - DE-FAULT WATER

Process Waters (including environmental) only.

MPN (/g) - 37°C - DEFAULT PROD-UCT

Default for most products.

MPN (/mL) - 37°C Liquids requiring direct plating only.

MPN (/g) - 30°C For Milk products only.

MPN (/mL) - 30°C For Milk liquids requiring direct plating only.

ISO-7251.2005 E. coli MPN

MPN enumeration of E. coli. This is often paired with ISO-4831.2006 for E.coli MPN enumeration

Presumptive 10 Tube MPN (/100mL) - DE-FAULT WATER

Process Waters (including environmental) only.

Presumptive 3 Tube MPN (/g) - DEFAULT PRODUCT


Presumptive 3 Tube MPN (/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only.



LI-00.701-1 Aerobic Plate Count - Pour (30°C)

Aerobic Plate Count extended method for pour plates. This is a longer TAT (72hrs).

LI-00.701-2 Aerobic Plate Count - Pour (37°C)

Express Aerobic Plate Count for pour plates. This TAT is shorter (48hrs).

LI-00.701-3 Aerobic Plate Count - Petrifilm (37°C)

Aerobic Plate Count for Petrifilm.

LI-00.709 Enterobacteriaceae MPN

PN enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae applied when low numbers of Enterobacteriaceae (< 3 cfu/g) are expected. Options for presence absence results are also available providing a qualitative result.

LI-00.713 Salmonella Isolation- For plates/slants

Salmonella identification for known Salmonella cultures. This is for samples that have already tested pre-sumptive for Salmonella and confirmation is requested from NQAC Dublin. Please follow the appropriate guidelines for shipping known pathogen cultures.

Routine (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Chocolates, powders, infant/children snack products, etc.

Routine (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only.

Routine (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Chocolates, powders, infant/children snack products, etc.


Routine (CFU/g) Culinary products, pasta, meats, pizza, etc., environmental powders.

Petrifilm Count (Environmental) Environmental swabs (Gives CFU/swab unit).


MPN (/g) - DEFAULT Default for most products for low detection.

MPN (/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only.

Presence / Absence per 10 gram Qualitative result per 10 grams.

Presence / Absence per 1 gram Qualitative result per 1 gram.

Presence / Absence per 1 mL Qualitative result per 1 mL.



LI-00.718 Enumeration of Bacterial Spores

Enumeration of bacterial spores in raw materials, line and finished product samples.

ISO-7937:2004 Clostridium perfringens

Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens (also known as C. perf).

ISO-7932:2004 Enumeration of Presumptive Bacillus cereus

Enumeration of Bacillus cereus (also known as B. cereus). Results are reported as “presumptive” since the method does not provide a complete confirmation of B. cereus.

LI-00.731 Lactic Acid Bacteria

Enumeration of Lactic Acid Bacteria.

LI-00.736 Contaminating Flora Count (Pour Plate)

Enumeration of contaminating microorganisms with sugar free agar for probiotic products.

There are no variations for this analysis.

Aerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g) - 10 min 80°C/72h @ 30°C-DEFAULT

Dry Products.

Aerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g) - 10 min 80°C/48h @ 42°C-DEFAULT

Dry Products.

Aerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g) - 30 min 100°C/48h @ 42°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Aerobic Thermophillic Spores (CFU/g) -10 min 80°C/48h @ 55°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Aerobic Thermophillic Spores (CFU/g)-30 min 100°C/48h @ 55°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Anaerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g)- 10 min 80°C/72h @ 30°C -DEFAULT Dry Products.

Anaerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g)-10 min 80°C/48h @ 42°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Anaerobic Mesophillic Spores (CFU/g)-30 min 100°C/48h @ 42°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Anaerobic Thermophillic Spores (CFU/g) -10 min 80°C/48h @ 55°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Anaerobic Thermophillic Spores (CFU/g)-30 min 100°C/48h @ 55°C-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Flat Sour Spores (CFU/g)-30 min 100°C/48h @ 55°-DEFAULT Dry Products.

Routine (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Default for most products.







LI-00.738 Coliform/E. coli Petrifilm

Enumeration of Coliforms and E.coli using Coliform Count petrifilm (incubation temp of 30C) or coliform/E.coli petrifilm (incubation temp of 37C).

LI-00.759 Salmonella iQ-Check

Qualitative Salmonella screen using PCR technology. The following weights are available for testing as well as a per swab variation for environmental swabs. Confirmation of presumptive screens will be provided by LI-00.713. Only select variations labeled for high dilutions if the dilution verification for your specific product has been confirmed at NQAC Dublin.

Coliform and E. coli (CFU/g) - DE- Default for most products requiring BOTH Coliform and E. coli testing

E. coli Only (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Default for E. coli only testing tested at 37C.

Coliform Only (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Default for Coliform only testing tested at 30C.

Coliform and E. coli Swab Environmental swabs requiring BOTH Coliform and E. coli testing

E. coli Only Swab Environmental swabs E. coli only testing tested at 37C.

Coliform Only Swab Environmental swabs Coliform only testing tested at 30C.

Coliform and E. coli (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating for BOTH Coliform and E. coli testing

E. coli Only (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating for E. coli only testing tested at 37C.

Coliform Only (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating for Coliform only testing tested at

/25g Testing per 25 grams







/swab Testing per swab for environmental swabs

/1g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 1 gram (High Dilution Only)

/2.5g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 2.5 grams (High Dilution Only)

/5g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 5 grams (High Dilution Only)




/108.5g (High Dilution On- Testing per 108.5 grams (High Dilution Only)



LI-00.742 Salmonella VIDAS

Qualitative Salmonella screen using VIDAS technology. The following weights are available for testing as well as a per swab variation for environmental swabs. Confirmation of presumptive screens will be provided by LI-00.713. Only select variations labeled for high dilutions if the dilution verification for your specific product has been confirmed at NQAC Dublin.

LI-00.743 Cronobacter @ 300g

Qualitative screening for Cronobacter. The only available variation through MEARS is per 300 grams. Please contact NQAC Dublin if an alternative weight is required for testing.

ISO-6888:2003 Staph – MPN

MPN enumeration of coagulase positive Staphylococci applied when low numbers of Staphylococci (< 3 cfu/g) are expected.

LI-00.763-3 Staph – Petrifilm

Enumeration of coagulase positive Staphylococci using a Petrifilm media.








/swab Testing per swab for environmental swabs

/1g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 1 gram (High Dilution Only)







Routine Testing Per 300gm Variation for routine testing.

Routine (/g) - DEFAULT Default for most products.




ISO-11290-2 Listeria Enumeration (Quantitative)

Quantitative enumeration of Listeria. Enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes will always be provided if found regardless of the variation selected.

LI-00.757 Enterobacteriaceae - Pour Plate

Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae using pour plate media. This is selected rather than LI-00.758 for prod-ucts with strong coloring as it will interfere with Petrifilm testing. A presumptive result will be provided un-less confirmed results are necessary, typically only during a second examination. Confirmed variations will add an additional 4-5 days to the turnaround time.

LI-00.758 Enterobacteriaceae – Petrifilm

Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae using petrifilm. A presumptive result will be provided unless confirmed results are necessary, typically only during a second examination. Confirmed variations will add an addi-tional 4-5 days to the turnaround time. Note: Some matrices such as pepperoni or certain spices can inter-fere with petrfilm at lower dilution, in such cases LI-00.757 is recommended.

Listeria Genus (All) All Listeria species counts will be reported.

L. monocytogenes (L_MONO) No other species except L. mono will be reported.

Presumptive Routine (CFU/g) - DEFAULT

Cocoa, dark or strong colored products (interferes with Petrifilm), paints, dyes, coatings.

Presumptive Routine (CFU/mL)

Liquids requiring direct plating only and environmental waters.

Confirmed Routine (2nd Ex-amination ONLY - CFU/g)

As above with confirmation. Longer TAT (4-5 days extra).

Confirmed Routine (2nd Ex-amination ONLY - CFU/mL)


Presumptive Routine (CFU/g) - DEFAULT


Presumptive Environmental - DEFAULT SWAB

Environmental swabs only.

Presumptive Routine (CFU/mL)

Liquids requiring direct plating only.

Confirmed Routine (2nd Ex-amination ONLY - CFU/g)


Confirmed Environmental (2nd Examination ONLY)


Confirmed Routine (2nd Ex-amination ONLY - CFU/mL)




LI-00.794 Enumeration of Probiotic Bacteria

Enumeration of probiotic bacteria listed below.

NQA-00-4006 Thermophilic Plate Count

Enumeration of aerobic and facultative anaerobic thermophilic microorganisms in Diary and Agricultural prod-

ucts only. There are no variations for this analysis.

NQA-00-4100 Mold & Yeast

Enumeration of mold and yeast.

AOAC_2007.06 Staph Enterotoxin by ELISA

Qualitative screen of Staphylococcal enterotoxins using ELISA technology. There are no variations for this analysis.

Bifid bacterium lactis Select for B. lactis testing.

Lactobacillus reuteri Select for L. reuteri testing.

Mold and Yeast (CFU/g) Default for most products requiring BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Mold (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Default for most products requiring only mold testing.

Yeast (CFU/g) - DEFAULT Default for most products requiring only yeast testing.

Mold and Yeast (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only for BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Mold (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only for mold testing.

Yeast (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only for yeast testing.

Mold and Yeast (CFU/swab) Environmental swab for BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Mold (CFU/swab) Environmental swab for mold.

Yeast (CFU/swab) Environmental swab for yeast testing.



LI-00.705 or LI-00.705 FS - Listeria LPT

Qualitative Listeria screen using the VIDAS LPT technology that can screen for L.mono (LI-00.705 FS for full speciation) or L. Species (LI-00.705 for genus only). Testing run time is shorter than Listeria VIDAS and re-sults can be expected in the evening (5-11pm) of day 2, compared to end of business on day 3. The following weights are available for testing as well as a per swab variation for environmental swabs. If higher testing weight is needed, multiple replicates will need to be requested. Confirmation of presumptive screens will be provided by ISO-11290-1.

NQA-CFIA-MFHPB-29 - Canadian Listeria method

Qualitative Listeria screen using VIDAS technology following the MFHPB-29 method. This should only be

used when Canadian requirements are set in the specifications.

NQA-00-4411 Thermoduric Acidophilic Bacillus (TAB)

Enumeration of thermoduric acidophilic Bacillus.

/25g Testing per 25 gram (L.mono or L.species)



/swab Testing per swab for environmental swabs (L.mono or L.species)

/6.25g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 6.25 gram (High Dilution Only) (L.mono or L.species)


/50g (High Dilution Only) Testing per 50 gram (High Dilution Only) (L.mono or L.species)


/25g Testing per 25 gram (full speciation)

/swab Testing per swab for environmental swabs (full specia-tion)

TAB Vegetative Cells (CFU/10mL) - DEFAULT

Products that are able to be run through a fil-ter.

TAB Spores (CFU/10mL) - DEFAULT

Products that are able to be run through a fil-ter.

TAB Vegetative Cells (CFU/g)

Products too thick to be run through a filter such as thick broths or creams.

TAB Spores (CFU/g) Products too thick to be run through a filter such as thick broths or creams.



NQA-00-4420 Osmophilic Mold and Yeast

Enumeration of osmophilic mold and yeast.

NQA-57-0003 E. coli O157:H7 BAX® PCR

Qualitative E. coli O157:H7 screen using BAX® PCR technology. The following weights are available for test-ing as well as a per swab variation for environmental swabs.

Osmo Mold and Yeast (CFU/g)

Default for most products requiring BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Osmo Mold (CFU/g) - DE-FAULT

Default for most products requiring only mold testing.

Osmo Yeast (CFU/g) - DE-FAULT

Default for most products requiring only yeast testing.

Osmo Mold and Yeast (CFU/mL)

Liquids requiring direct plating only for BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Osmo Mold (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only for mold testing.

Osmo Yeast (CFU/mL) Liquids requiring direct plating only for yeast testing.

Osmo Mold and Yeast (CFU/swab)

Environmental swab for BOTH mold and yeast testing.

Osmo Mold (CFU/swab) Environmental swab for mold.

Osmo Yeast (CFU/swab) Environmental swab for yeast testing.

/25g Testing per 25 gram

/375g Testing per 375 gram

/Swab Testing per swab for environmental swabs

mears analysis & variation selection guide · mears analysis guide nestlé quality assurance...

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