Genetics-Based Diagnostics for Salmonella

WILMINGTON - Jul 7/04 - SNS -- Brazil will adopt a genetics-based diagnostic tool developed by DuPont Qualicon to detect salmonella in food, water and environmental samples.

An evaluation conducted by the Ministry on over 1,800 samples in five laboratories concluded that DuPont's BAX(R) system was equivalent to the traditional culture method that has been used by the government for the last 40 years.

"This validation is an important step by the Ministry of Agriculture, showing its new vision toward modernization of the Brazilian Food Safety System," stated Josinete Barros de Freitas, coordinator of the Food Microbiology Department, CLA-MAPA.

According to Madasa do Brasil, DuPont Qualicon's local distributor who supported the validation process, "This achievement makes the BAX(R) system the first and only rapid detection method to obtain Official Reference Method status in Brazil. It also marks the first time the government has announced an Official Reference Method by brand name."

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