Testing Weight Requirements for Composite Samples: Should We Consult the Customer?

Hi All,

We are making a private label product. usually we make 3-5 consecutive days for a PO# and we dedicate a particular lot code to each day. we have out sourced our testing schedule and we asked lab to make composite sample. what they have asked for, is the weight at which we need them to test this sample for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Lab also said : we need 3 composite as the testing is divided into 3 parts. 1st part for Salmonella, 2nd part for Listeria monocytogenes, and 3rd part for all other testing requested. 

My question is, should we figure it out with customer? and if not, how will i get to know how ? 

our product spec is as follows: 

Aerobic Colony Count (ACC)                       <1000 CFU/g

Escherichia coli                                              <10 CFU/g

Staphylococcus aureus                                 <10 CFU/g

Salmonella spp.:                                              Absent

Listeria monocytogenes:                                Absent

Yeast Plate Count:                                          <10 CFU/g

Coliform Plate Count:                                    <10 CFU/g

Thanks!

Well, you want all of your samples to be tested for everything. You have 2 choices.

1. You composite all of the samples and make a big composite yourself (make sure you send enough if testing salm @ 375, L mono @125, and all others 25-50 gm, then at least 600-700gm total)

or 

2. Label all your individual bags and on your analysis request form, ask the lab to composite and test for these tests

Well, you want all of your samples to be tested for everything. You have 2 choices.

 

1. You composite all of the samples and make a big composite yourself (make sure you send enough if testing salm @ 375, L mono @125, and all others 25-50 gm, then at least 600-700gm total)

 

or 

 

2. Label all your individual bags and on your analysis request form, ask the lab to composite and test for these tests

Thanks for the response. which weight should we pick ? 25g, 125g, 250g, and 375g ? before, our measurement was for 25g for individual samples. can we pick the same thing for composite? or are there considerations for picking a particular weight?

Thanks

Typically 375g for salmonella, unless your product is high risk. You can do either 25g or 50/100/125 for L.mono., up to you. 

Indicators usually need 25 to 50gm for all. 

Typically 375g for salmonella, unless your product is high risk. You can do either 25g or 50/100/125 for L.mono., up to you. 

Indicators usually need 25 to 50gm for all. 

Yes, we produce ready to eat fish products.