Western scientists develop test kit to quickly detect Listeria

A team of Western University scientists have developed a rapid test kit for Listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, in an effort to increase safety and cut costs for food manufacturing companies. 

"Our goal is to get testing as close to production as possible," said Dr. Michael Rieder, a scientist with the Robarts Research Institute, who was at the forefront of the kit's creation. 

Rieder said that many small to mid-size food manufacturers are forced to ship food samples out to labs to get them tested for the bacteria. By the time manufacturers get the results back, they have already shipped lots of food that, depending on the results, may need to be recalled, Rieder explained.  

"What we want to do is get it to a point where [manufacturers] hold the lot at the plant for the few hours it takes to test it and if it's negative, it ships and if it's positive, nobody knows about it," he added. 

The kit, which is smaller than an average-sized smartphone, works similar to a pregnancy test and can detect multiple strains of the bacteria.

Rieder said the kit is designed to be used by anyone in the manufacturing company, not just lab technicians. 

"It cuts time, it cuts cost and it improves safety," he said. 

Rieder notes that a software system was developed along with the kit to link each cassette, which records the result the test taken from the sample, to its corresponding food lot.  

Currently, the kit is being used by food production companies in B.C. and in the United States. The goal is to get the kit in the hands of local producers in the area, Rieder said.

Listeria, which is commonly found in meats, unpasteurized dairy products and raw vegetables, can cause brain and blood infections in extreme cases.

"We want to make sure Canada's food producers have a safety net, so people know that the food that we're producing and exporting is safe and healthy," Rieder said.