Testing and Weighing

Charm Sciences Inc.

Contact: gerardr@charm.com
Website: www.charm.com

Charm Sciences Inc.’s new test to detect six FDA-targeted drugs has been approved in the United States.

The National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) executive board has accepted the Charm 3 SL3 Beta-lactam Test and associated 2400 form to meet regulatory compliance with Appendix N and Section 6 of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).

Acceptance is based on the method meeting specifications and receiving AOAC-RI Certificate of Performance Tested Status following a Center For Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) protocol. Acceptance also is based on the method review and approval of the 2400 public health form by the NCIMS laboratory committee.

The NCIMS executive board acceptance permits FDA to communicate to regulatory authorities that the Charm SL3 test is accepted for screening of raw commingled milk bulk pick-up tankers for all six approved beta-lactam drugs used on dairy farms, Charm Sciences officials say.

The three-minute test is able to save good milk from unnecessary rejection by detecting all six drugs within 25 percent of U.S. Safe Levels/Tolerances.

Charm Sciences Inc.

Contact: Gerard Ruth, vice president, marketing, Charm Sciences Inc., 659 Andover Street, Laurence, MA., 01843, 978-687-9200, FAX: 978-659-6216
Website: www.charm.com

Charm Sciences Inc. has introduced three new tests for the dairy industry.

The Charm Sulfa Test is a lateral flow test designed to detect all sulfonamide drugs in milk. Its detection levels meet or exceed the FDA Safe Level and Canadian maximum residue limit (MRL) of 10 parts per billion (ppb). In addition, using a dilution procedure, the Charm Sulfa Test detection level may be adjusted to meet the European Union MRL of 100 ppb total sulfa drugs.

The company also has introduced its Charm Chloramphenicol Test, designed to detect chloramphenicol in raw milk. With a limit of detection of 0.1 ppb, it meets the minimum required performance level (MRPL) for chloramphenicol set by the European Union. It also can be used to uphold Russian law, which specifies all milk imports be free of chloramphenicol as well as similar regulations.

Additional new releases include the Charm Streptomycin Test for the detection of streptomycin in raw milk. With a minimum detection level of 75 ppb, the new test helps users meet regulatory requirements around the world, company officials say. This includes: European Union/CODEX/Australian/New Zealand MRL (200 ppb), U.S. Tolerance (0 ppb), Canadian MRL (125 ppb) and the Russian Milk Federation import requirement (500 ppb).

All three tests use Charm’s rapid one step assay (ROSA) technology to offer users accurate detection with ease of use, according to company officials. They follow the same procedure and use the same equipment as other ROSA lateral flow milk tests — add milk to the test strip, incubate and read on the ROSA reader.

Charm Sciences will soon launch its Charm 3 test program, which will establish new performance standards for speed, sensitivity and precision, say company representatives, noting it will provide a seamless transition for existing customers.

ESE Inc.

Contact: Kevin Nowack, director of sales operations, ESE Inc., 3600 Downwind Drive, Marshfield, WI, 54449, 800-236-4778 ext. 224, 715-387-0125, e-mail: nowackk@ese1.com
Website: www.ese1.com

Current food quantifier and process quantifier users now can utilize ESE Inc.’s new Q5 NIR analyzers with a seamless conversion. Recalibration is no longer required when migrating to the Q5 family of analyzers.

ESE is able to convert the existing calibration files from the previous foods quantifier and process quantifier applications to the Q5 analyzer format. Company officials note that customers looking to take advantage or increase speed, accuracy and software enhancements of the Q5 analyzers now have a plug-and-play solution.

The new analyzers provide measurements for fat and protein, which company representatives say are critical to achieving the desired fat-to-protein ratio in cheese milk standardization. In process cheese applications, the Q5 family of analyzers can be used at multiple points within the process to help ensure product quality by maintaining accurate product moistures.

FOSS North America

Contact: Jeff Boedigheimer, process sales manager, FOSS North America, 8091 Wallace Road, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344, 952-221-2327, FAX: 952-974-9823, e-mail: jboedigheimer@fossnorthamerica.com
Website: www.foss.dk

FOSS North America has launched its new ProFoss inline analyzer, a near infrared (NIR) process analysis system for protein, total solids and fats, among others.

Applications include monitoring and control of whey protein concentrate (WPC), cream cheese, Mozzarella, Ricotta, butter and dairy powders.

The new system provides a picture of what is happening in the process at any one time. For example, users can control the use of food components more closely and quality can be improved by reducing product variations, company officials say.

The ProFoss system features high resolution diode array technology that provides a regular snapshot of products in the process.

Continuous process monitoring in food manufacturing is becoming increasingly important, say company officials, noting consistent and high-quality standardized products manufactured at low cost are important for competitive success in a global market.

The ProFoss system is designed to help achieve this goal by reducing variation and streamlining the manufacturing process.

The analyzer is housed in a cabinet, mounted at the relevant location in production where it feeds back measurements to a computer display. A user interface allows anyone in production to monitor levels for measurement parameters. Measurement results are in line with the accuracy of traditional laboratory reference analysis, the company says.

All analyzers are factory standardized and a broad selection of sample interfaces is available to suit diverse applications and sample types such as liquids, powders and granules.

The option of remote instrument surveillance over the internet by FOSS experts is a part of the system package. Calibration and software updates also can be performed via the internet. Full technical support and preventative maintenance options are available as well.

Currently, the company is working on a lateral transmittance probe for ProFoss, used specifically for inline analysis of WPC, Mozzarella, cream cheese and butter.

GEA Diessel GmbH

Contact: Hermann Hartmann, hartmann@geagroup.com
Website: www.diessel.com

GEA Diessel GmbH has introduced its IZMAG flow meter that can be used to provide accurate flow measurement for a range of products from collection to final processing.

Company officials note that milk products come in many different forms, with different densities, viscosities and flow characteristics that can make accurate measurement difficult.

Electromagnetic flow meters provide a measuring solution designed to overcome this difficulty.

GEA Diessel’s IZMAG flow meter features electromagnetic flow meter technology. It also includes Bluetooth technology for remote data collection, automatic calibration and is suitable for aseptic processing.

The flow meter can be used for a variety of products including: unpasteurized whole milk, standardized milk of 0.3 percent to 3.8 percent fat, ewe’s and goat’s milk, soy milk, extended shelf life milk, condensed milk and coffee cream, cream, yogurt and kefir, buttermilk and soured milk, and whey.

Company officials note the same metering devices may be used to measure accurately the quality of milk collected by the road tanker in accordance with weights and measurement regulations; during processing to accurately measure and to control flow rates and additive dosing levels; and control the filling process at the end of the production chain.

Electromagnetic flow meters do not have any moving parts, and are suitable for use at high temperatures or under vacuum conditions.

Mettler Toledo

Mettler Toledo introduces new balances
Website: www.mt.com

Mettler Toledo has introduced its new line of Excellence XA Analytical and Precision Balances.

Ideal for use in the food industry, Mettler Toledo’s new line combines functionality with high weighing performance to deliver a range of balances designed to be straight forward and easy to use, company officials say.

The XA Balance line includes two analytical (XA105DU and XA204DR) and six precision balances (XA1502S, XA16001L, XA3002S, XA303S, XA5002S and XA503S).

The precision balances can be used for product quality control applications on production lines as well as for typical weighing procedures such as preparation of buffer solutions for managing pH levels.

In addition, company representatives note the analytical balances provide a higher level of accuracy suited to measuring loss on drying or small quantities of ingredients in the development lab.

NDC Infrared Engineering Inc.

Contact: Lloyd Edelberg, NDC Infrared Engineering Inc., 626-960-3300
e-mail: lloydster@mac.com
Website: www.ndcinfrared.com

NDC Infrared Engineering, a U.S.- and United Kingdom-based manufacturer of process measurement systems, has launched its new InfraLab e-Series Multi-component At-Line Cheese & Dairy Products Analyzer.

The analyzer is suitable for Mozzarella, hard cheese, whey powder, non-dairy creamer, full-fat or skimmed milk powder, infant formula, casein powder, cheese curd, white/Blue cheese and cream cheese. It uses non-contacting multi-wavelength near infrared (NIR) technology to measure moisture only or moisture, fat and protein.

In addition, the InfraLab is calibrated to the process plant’s primary reference methods, providing measurements beside the production line.

Company officials note the analyzer has a measurement period of less than 10 seconds and requires minimum sample preparation and no special user skills. In addition, its measurements are independent of product and ambient changes in the process area such as temperature, relative humidity and factory lighting.

Additional features include reduced operator dependency, improved process consistency and improved traceability, company officials say.

The technology also recognizes that cheese and dairy product producers use different primary reference methods, either in-house or externally, and offers linear factory calibrations that are adjustable to provide equivalent measurements, saving on analysis costs and laboratory overhead. Each measurement is pre-loaded into the InfraLab and can be selected from the drop-down menu within the touchscreen user interface.

Nelson-Jameson Inc.

Contact: Fritz Buss, Nelson-Jameson Inc., 2400 East 5th Street, Marshfield, WI, 54449, 800-826-8302 ext. 1025, e-mail: f.buss@nelsonjameson.com
Website: www.nelsonjameson.com

Nelson-Jameson Inc. has added several new lines of balances from Ohaus. Pioneer is the newest line of high performance, precision balances. Defender is a line of bench scales, combining an ABS plastic T51P indicator with a square, painted steel base and column. They are designed for production, receiving, shipping, packaging and general weighing applications. The Extreme line meets the needs of industrial operations with the Defender 5000XW scale. The scale combines a stainless steel D51XW indicator with a square, stainless steel washdown base and column. It is ideal for production, packaging and industrial applications where full washdown protection is required. The Moisture Analyzer line offers results for a variety of applications. Suitable for applications requiring infrared heating, the Moisture Analyzer is compact, easy to use and economical for routine tasks performed by operators of all skill levels, company representatives say. It is ideal for food processing, wastewater and other applications.

In addition, Nelson-Jameson now is a primary distributor of Hach products to the food and dairy industry. Hach offers standard testing supplies that measure the condition of any water chemistry used in food processing plants. Its products include test kits, digital titrators, water testing equipment, pH meters, accessories and more. Every application is supported by Nelson-Jameson and Hach technical service.

In addition, Nelson-Jameson now offers 3M Food Safety products including 3M Tecra Pathogen Kits, Clean-Trace ATP and Protein Testing, Petrifilm Plates, Quick Swabs, Dilution Bottles, Enrichment Pouches, Prepared Media, Pipettors/Tips, Carcass Testing Supplies and more.

New releases also include the Neogen Reveal 3-D Allergen Test Kit, which can be implemented more regularly than typical laboratory food allergen testing. The kit provides results within 10 minutes of taking a sample of a product or food contact surface. The detection level is 1 to 50 parts per million, and no additional equipment is necessary. Tests are available for gluten, peanut, casein, shellfish, egg, almond, hazelnut and soya.

The new Portacheck PortaBHB Ketone Test Kit allows for early subclinical ketosis detection. The process involves dipping the test strip into a milk sample and comparing to a color chart. The test strip changes color in the presence of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). The higher the concentration of BHB, the greater the color change.

Nelson-Jameson also has released Active Salt Software, which company representatives say is a great tool to use with the M926 Chloride Analyzer System. The Active Salt Software application offers error reduction, salt percentage calculation and automatic report generation. The package has been designed for ease of use with a home screen display to improve efficiency and traceability of food analysis results, company officials say.