Food Protection Trends - March/April 2018 - 142

INDUSTRY PRODUCTS
3M Food Safety Test for Cronobacter Designated
Performance-tested Method by AOAC
3M Food Safety announced that its 3M™ Molecular Detection
Assay 2 - Cronobacter has been designated by AOAC INTERNATIONAL® as Performance-tested Method (Certificate #101703).
Introduced last year, the assay is the latest in a line of next-generation assays compatible with the award-winning 3M™ Molecular
Detection System, which uses isothermal DNA amplification and
bioluminescence detection to test for pathogens.
Cronobacter is a group of bacteria that are found in powdered
foods and supplements, most commonly in infant formula. The
bacteria can survive for up to two years in infant formula and
exposure can cause life-threatening infections in newborns.
"While less well known than other foodborne pathogens like
Listeria or Salmonella, Cronobacter is no less dangerous - particularly because it preys on some of the most vulnerable populations.
It's a point of pride for our team that the tests we've made for
the dangerous pathogen were recognized by an organization like
AOAC INTERNATIONAL," said 3M global marketing manager
Carolina Riba.

Alfa Laval Has the Solution for Unreliable and
Unhygienic Load Cells
Do you find yourself spending valuable time on re-calibrating
your load cells to make sure they are accurate?
The new Alfa Laval load cells are based on a patented digital
capacitive technology that features a number of advantages
compared to other technologies used in transducers for measuring
force and weight.
1. Robust and reliable load cells - All Alfa Laval load cells
tolerate very high overloads, side loads and torsion. The load
cells are produced in stainless steel and hermetically sealed
to IP68 to ensure superb IP protection.
2. Simple mechanical installation - Mechanical protection
devices are not necessary when installing Alfa Laval
digital load cells. This is not only an important cost and
maintenance saver, but also allows for a hygienic installation.
3. Simple electrical installation - The Alfa Laval digital load
cells feature true plug-and-play installation as the load cells
are pre-calibrated, which eliminates the need for on-site
calibration in many applications. The Alfa Laval digital load
cells are equipped with up to 100 meters of coaxial cable and
the cable length has no influence on the load cell calibration.
4. Certified quality - The Alfa Laval load cells can be supplied
in OIML, while still offering a very high overload tolerance.
5. Flexible solutions - A range of Alfa Laval weighing modules
are available with a host of fieldbus interfaces (Profibus DP,
PROFINET, Ethernet IP, Modbus TPC/IP, 4-20 mA, 0-10 VDC
etc.). Also, the load cells are available in capacities up to 25 tons.
6. Fast commissioning - The Alfa Laval load cells are precalibrated, which saves time during commissioning.
7. Minimizes on-site installation costs for OEM customers
- The very high overload tolerance of Alfa Laval load cells
allows for in-factory installation of the load cells in OEM

142

Food Protection Trends March/April

3M's testing process involved comprehensive testing by an
independent laboratory per the approved testing protocol of the
AOAC Research Institute. The assay was tested on powdered
infant formula, powdered infant cereal, lactose powder and an
environmental surface.
3M Food Safety
+1 888.364.3577
St. Paul, MN
www.3M.com/foodsafety/MDA2

equipment, which eliminates the need for expensive and
inconvenient transportation protection for the load cells.
8. Easy diagnostics and service - It is possible to monitor
the load and status of each individual Alfa Laval cell with
the integrated load cell diagnostics feature. The Alfa Laval
digital load cells do not require regular maintenance, but
if maintenance is required, the integrated system will alert
users, providing fast and easy trouble-shooting.
9. High quality standards - All Alfa Laval load cells are
developed, manufactured and individually calibrated in
Denmark to ensure that the load cells meet the highest
quality standards on the market.
10. Patented and trusted worldwide - The capacitive technology
and mechanical design of the Alfa Laval load cells has
been patented and is trusted by customers in more than 85
countries worldwide.
Alfa Laval Inc.
+1 866.253.2528
Richmond, VA
www.alfalaval.com

http://www.3M.com/foodsafety/MDA2 http://www.alfalaval.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - March/April 2018