Introduction
Many commodities must be tested prior to export as part of trade arrangements between Australia and importing countries. As part of its role in maintaining export markets for the meat industry, the department operates an Approved Laboratory Program. The aim of the program is to ensure the validity of microbiological testing results obtained from regulatory testing programs and the recognition of equivalence of these programs by importing countries. Laboratories participating in the program are required to use only approved testing methods for the analysis of samples.
In specifying approved methods, the department ensures consistency of results with those obtained in other countries while allowing innovation and flexibility where appropriate.
A summary of each method, including a checklist used for assessing compliance, is provided as a guide for testing of:
- Aerobic Plate Count
- Escherichia coli O157:H7
- Top 7 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli
- Generic E. coli
- Listeria
- Salmonella spp
Other test methodologies and target organisms may be added to this list from time to time.
The checklists are a useful tool for laboratories as part of their QA program, for Technical Assessors carrying out assessments of laboratories on behalf of an Assessment Authority (i.e. NATA) and for the department. Checklists are not exhaustive and have been deliberately limited to those areas that have the greatest impact on the validity of test results.
The checklists summarise approved methods and do not replace the requirement for laboratories to hold copies of all test methods (standard methods) for which they have approval.