Q

Environmental Monitoring

Q Laboratories Receives ELAP Certification

What is the ELAP Certification and why is it important? We are happy to announce that Q Laboratories is now approved by the New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP). New York ELAP approval is required in New York as part of the Protection Against Legionella regulation which was passed in July, 2016. This

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Environmental Monitoring Can Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)

According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 31 (3.2%) of U.S. hospital patients contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI).  This amounts to approximately 2 million nosocomial infections per year in the US, resulting in 90,000 deaths and incurring a cost of $28- $45 billion to hospitals, Medicare/Medicaid,

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Food Allergen Control Program

In 2004, responding to an increase in foodborne illnesses caused by allergens, the United States Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). Implemented in 2006, FALCPA established clear guidelines for labeling foods regarding the presence of allergens, providing consumers with more straightforward and accessible information to protect their families and themselves.

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Environmental Monitoring Design Utilizing the Zone Concept

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

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Food Recalls – Environmental Monitoring

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

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