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A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Selection of an equivalent rapid method could depend
on a required TAT. Generally speaking, the TAT to a
negative or presumptive result is correlated to cost. More
sensitive detection technologies allow shorter enrichments
and quicker TAT, but the testing kit cost and equipment
to run the test can result in greater operational expense.
Thus, real time PCR molecular methods are quicker but
can cost more than ELISA test methods. However, both
methods are usually more expensive than slower cultural
reference methods. If a presumptive result is detected, all
rapid methods will follow the confirmation procedure of the
reference method against which they were validated, and
each method will likely result in a similar TAT.
CONCLUSIONS
The selection of a validated microbiological method,
whether a reference method or alternative method, is a
critical decision that can potentially affect a company's profits
and losses, reputation, and assessment of the appropriateness
REFERENCES
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Available at: http://www.eoma.aoac.org/
app_j.pdf. Accessed 6 December 2022.
2. AOAC INTERNATIONAL. 2015. Official
Method 996.14. Transia® AG Listeria for
the detection of Listeria monocytogenes
and related Listeria species in selected
foods and from environmental surfaces.
AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Rockville,
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Accessed 9 January 2023.
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280 Food Protection Trends May/June
Alternative approaches for qualitative
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of their Food Safety system (Prerequisite programs,
Preventive Controls, HACCP, or Food Safety Plan). There
are various factors that a laboratory can consider when
determining which equivalent method to use, including
cost, TAT, or an affinity for a method they have been using
for years. However, this document provides a rationale
to determine equivalency among a variety of accredited
methods validated for the same matrix and sample size,
thereby allowing flexibility and choice based on whatever
criteria are used. This flexibility allows laboratories
and end users to meet critical needs efficiently when
undesirable situations arise, such as kit shortages, equipment
malfunction, and increasing costs. We hope that this paper
provides a framework to help decision makers when these
situations arise.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Gabriel Sanglay of Nestlé, Astrid Cariou of BioRad,
Michael Perry of the New York State Department of Health,
and Rocelle Grabarek, then of Treehouse Foods, contributed
to early discussions on this topic.

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