December 2014 - In This Issue:

WELCOME. Let me introduce you to Daily Laboratories. 
Daily Laboratories, Division of Mobilab, Inc. is a private ISO-certified laboratory serving diverse industries including food, dairy, meat, produce, water, cosmetic, plastic and paper companies.  We can test products and environmental samples.

 The laboratory was established in 1960 as a raw milk testing laboratory. We are a woman-owned business and have expanded to provide microbiological services for other industries. We are also capable of testing for the presence of pesticides residue and allergens in environmental samples. 

"We partner with our clients to deliver customized solutions that resolve their issues."

Brainteasers 

1) I Can Fly

My posterior is adorned with feathers.

I have a rather long neck and quite a pointy nose.

I am able to fly, yet I have no wings.

What am I?

2) A Ships Ladder

The rungs of a 10 foot ladder attached to a ship are 1 foot apart.

If the water is rising at the rate of one foot an hour, how long will it take until the water covers over the ladder?

Answers below. 
7 Must-Haves in Your Sanitation SOP
Food On-Line October 2014
Every facility must have a Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP). What should be in it? What should be done first and foremost?  Learn More
WAS IT SOMETHING I ATE?
How did I get Salmonella?
 
Another reason to wash you hands.  In New Hampshire and Wisconsin, there have been outbreaks of salmonella unassociated with human food.  Read More
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING PLAN IN THE PLANT 
FDA & USDA 
There are currently no regulations that require FDA regulated food and beverage manufacturing plants to conduct environmental monitoring and testing. However, there are current requirements for environmental testing for USDA Food Safety and
Inspection Services (FSIS) ready-to-eat (RTE) manufacturing facilities. It is expected that these rules may
be part of the final Food Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) package.
Pathogens can be introduced into the environment in raw materials, ingredients and supplies as well as by the equipment or vehicles that bring them in. They can also be carried into a facility by employees, visitors or pests.

To guard against contamination, key elements of testing include pathogen monitoring and aerobic plate count. Testing for particular pathogens, normally Salmonella and/or Listeria spp, depends on your situation.  Regular testing helps zero in on the cracks and crevices that become the "hot spots" where the bacteria may breed.  Pathogen testing methods range from time-intensive culturing to results within 24 hours. 

    More to follow...

 


 Illinois Dept of Public Health: FDA and EPA
 ISO 17025
Daily Laboratories had their biennial state inspection on 18-19 November.  
For the recent on-site evaluation of our water microbiology laboratory, "No deviations were found at this facility."  The laboratory and staff also received a Commendation "on their dedication to excellence and the effort to generate quality data from this laboratory is apparent."
For the recent on-site evaluation of our milk microbiology laboratory, one small deviation was found in a record. The step to correct the deviation has been deemed satisfactory.

The staff and laboratory continue to be fully certified for all procedures evaluated. 

The annual audit and maintenance for our ISO-17025:2005 certification was also conducted in November. All requirements have been satisfied and "the audit team was able to verify the effectiveness of the Testing and Calibration Management System in the audited areas and have been approved."  No deviations were found. Continuation of certificate validation is recommended. 
Lisa Strickland
309-691-4513

It is our commitment to provide personalized service and customized testing to meet the   needs of our clients.


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1) an arrow   2)  It will never cover the ladder because as the water rises, so will the floating ship.