Michael Koeris, founder and vice president of operations for Sample6, told FoodProductionDaily the relatively young company has made significant progress in developing its technology.
“We’ve had to work hard to prove ourselves,” he said. “That’s the way it is when you’re a startup, but we’ve had 25 pilot customers be incredibly generous with their time, enough to let us in and listen to a couple of crazy guys about their system.”
Quick results
Koeris said the company’s enrichment-free test method distinguishes because it provides rapid, accurate results for various pathogens, so that food safety personnel don’t have to wait around for answers.
According to Koeris, the DETECT system consists of front-end testing and back-end software, with open architecture that reportedly enables users to integrate with existing technology and equipment.
DETECT/L, Sample6’s first diagnostic assay, is said to quickly identify Listeria species contamination in food processing environments. According to the company, the testing technology offers drastically reduced time required to conduct accurate tests compared to other systems.
Safety first
The assay works with Sample6 CONTROL, the company's software platform. Sample6 CEO Tim Curran said results of the pilot program (which includes firms like ConAgra and Legal Seafood) underscores the important role safety technology plays in food processing environments.
“It's clear the food industry considers consumer safety the highest priority based on the resounding support of our pilot program,” he said. “The food companies involved played a critical role in helping us reach this milestone.”
Sample6 met with FPD at the Food Safety Summit, an annual conference and exposition focusing on current safety concerns and emerging technologies. The event took place in Baltimore April 8-10.