Dog Food Recalled Due to Potentially Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxin
Dog Food Recalled Due to Potentially Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxin
The importance of screening food for toxins has been highlighted this month with the recent news that Midwestern Pet Foods Inc. have extended their product recall after reports that the pet food has potentially caused the deaths of 70 dogs due to containing possibly unsafe levels of aflatoxin.
The Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that it has been “aware of more than 70 dogs that have died and more than 80 that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food.”
Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by two species of Aspergillus, a fungus which is especially found in areas with hot and humid climates. Aflatoxins have a wide occurrence in feed and cereals, such as wheat, barley, rice and corn, which are used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in animals.
Midwestern Pet Foods first announced a voluntary recall on Dec. 30, extending it last week. “There have been reports of illnesses and deaths in dogs associated with certain lots of products. No human illnesses have been reported,” the company said in a recall announcement. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have expanded this recall to cover all corn products containing pet foods with expiration dates prior to 07/09/22.”
Aflatoxin poisoning can display in animals with symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice and diarrhoea.
The expanded recall includes “additional corn-containing lot codes of Sportmix, Pro Pac Originals, Splash, Sportstrail, and Nunn Better dry dog and cat foods” that were produced in its Oklahoma manufacturing plant. A full list of recalled products can be found here.
Randox Food Diagnostics
Randox provide solutions to the agricultural industry by having developed a range of screening platforms for toxins and drug residues within feed and cereals. Multiple mycotoxins can affect crops and drug residues can pass through to feed causing adverse health effects in both humans and animals.
Myco 9 facilitates the detection of up to 9 common mycotoxins from a single sample of cereal or cereal based feed, including aflatoxin B1/B2, aflatoxin G1/G2, deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, paxilline, T2 toxin & zearalenone.
For more information on the antibiotic screening arrays available contact us at: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
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Randox unveils SARS-CoV-2 antibody test to determine previous COVID-19 infection in just 1.5 hours
21st December 2020
Randox unveils SARS-CoV-2 antibody test to determine previous COVID-19 infection in just 1.5 hours
Randox Laboratories is proud to announce the launch of its new SARS-CoV-2 IgG test, utilising patented Randox Biochip Technology to simultaneously detect IgG antibodies that are reactive to both of the leading COVID-19 diagnostic antigens – Spike Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and Nucleocapsid protein (NP).
Maximum test sensitivity is ensured through simultaneous detection of both RBD-only and NP-only responders, making it superior to current commercially available COVID-19 IgG tests that are based on RBD or NP alone, from which false negative results can occur.
The Randox SARS-CoV-2 IgG (RBD & NP) Array provides clinicians with an opportunity to discriminate vaccinated individuals from those naturally infected by COVID-19.
Lynsey Adams, Randox Clinical Marketing Manager commented;
“When there is little or no access to molecular testing, serology tests provide a means to quickly triage suspected cases of COVID-19, enabling appropriate case management, and guiding public health measures, such as quarantine or self-isolation.
“The new Randox SARS-CoV-2 IgG (RBD & NP) Array, provides a unique insight into disease severity, is an established method of indirect disease diagnosis, and facilitates epidemiological surveillance as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.”
The Randox SARS-CoV-2 IgG (RBD & NP) Array has been developed for the Evidence Investigator, a semi-automated benchtop immunoassay analyser delivering accurate results in just 1.5 hours.
Features of the new Randox SARS-CoV-2 IgG (RBD & NP) Array
- Utilises established diagnostic antigen candidates – RBD and NP
- IgG measurement confirms adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2
- Clinical specificity of 99.5%
- Clinical sensitivity of 100% ≥ 14 days post SARS-CoV-2 PCR confirmation
- Dual sample matrix: human serum/plasma.
Contact marketing@randox.com for further information on our latest SARS-CoV-2 array or click to find out more!
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Vivalyticās rapid coronavirus test delivers results for positive samples in less than 30 minutes
18th December 2020
Cloud-based software update means a faster PCR test for SARS-CoV-2
We are happy to announce that due to improved software for the Vivalytic analysis device, the CE marked Vivalytic SARS-CoV-2 rapid coronavirus test, which uses polymerase chain reactions (PCR), now delivers its results even faster. By applying optimized evaluation strategies, the Vivalytic analysis device can detect a positive SARS-CoV-2 sample through its high viral load in less than 30 minutes, right where the sample is collected.
This modified product is part of a research and development project relating specifically to COVID-19, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune of 4.97 million euros. The project’s aim is to expand the options for detecting acute infections of the coronavirus, looking particularly at on-the-spot testing in which the sample is analyzed in a fully automatic PCR process, as this offers rapid yet reliable results.
- Improved software for Vivalytic: turnaround time for positive SARS-CoV-2 samples reduced to under 30 minutes.
- Update from the cloud: Vivalytic analysis devices are updated over the internet.
Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH said;
“In the fight to contain the coronavirus pandemic, speed is of the essence. With Vivalytic, we are delivering cutting-edge medical technology. Our IT and software expertise have helped to make the Bosch Corona test for positive samples even faster – all within a short period of time.”
The new update is available for the SARS-CoV-2 singleplex test and the SARS-CoV-2 pooled test. Updating the Vivalytic testing devices is simple and straightforward – all that is required is an internet connection to access the Bosch cloud platform Vivasuite. Developed in-house at Bosch, the Vivasuite cloud platform allows users to digitally manage and update all their Bosch Healthcare Solutions devices. This is also an advantage when Vivalytic devices are in use in the field. The platform meets the strictest security standards and data privacy is guaranteed at all times: for example, there is no remote access to Vivalytic devices, and no possibility of accessing patient data.
The turnaround time for samples negative for SARS-CoV-2 is still 39 minutes. PCR tests are considered the gold standard, and Bosch’s rapid coronavirus tests have a sensitivity of 98 percent and a specificity of 100 percent.
Contact marketing@randox.com for further information on the latest vivalytic software update for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
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India Must Stop Misusing Antibiotics in Dairy Sector, According to CSE Report
India Must Stop Misusing Antibiotics in Dairy Sector, According to CSE Report
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has raised concerns over whether the milk we consume is safe. Hosting a virtual meeting in July, the CSE discussed the use of antibiotics with the world’s largest producer of milk, India. Over 188 million tonnes of milk was produced by India over the period of 2018-2019 and lead with 22% of global milk production.
A recent assessment by the CSE has found indication of antibiotic abuse in milk producing cattle.
“We have found that antibiotics are extensively misused in the dairy sector; antibiotic residues remain largely untested in milk, an integral part of Indian diets, particularly of children,” said CSE Director General Sunita Narain. “While we continue to struggle against COVID-19, we are staring at another pandemic like situation – that of antibiotic resistance fueled by the way we are producing our food, which has become chemical-intensive.”
Antibiotics such as penicillin, aminoglycosides and fluroquinolones are being ‘indiscriminately’ used by dairy farmers according to the CSE. These antibiotics are among the most important in human health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned as we face growing concerns over an antibiotic resistance, such antibiotics should be preserved.
Despite laws stating that antibiotics should only be prescribed and administered by a registered veterinarian, the CSE said that some farmers are illegally attaining and injecting animals themselves without the supervision of veterinarians.
“Farmers often sell milk while the animal is under treatment, which increases the chances of antibiotic residues in the milk,” explained Amit Khurana, the CSE’s Food Safety and Toxins Programme Director. “While milk sold directly to consumers is not tested, contrary to what one would expect, processed milk sold in packets is also largely unchecked for antibiotic residues.
“This explains why, despite pooling and processing, packed milk samples from several states had antibiotic residues in the FSSAI’s [Food Safety and Standards Authority of India] milk quality survey of 2018.”
However, CSE noted the virtual meeting has encouraged positive signs of action in the diary industry in India.
“The issues highlighted by the CSE assessment have been well recognised by the experts and stakeholders. These experts have also recommended several measures for minimising antibiotic misuse in the Indian dairy sector.”
In order to minimise the threat of antibiotic resistance, the CSE have recommended “preventative measures” such as;
- Routine observation of drugs residues in milk
- Modifying the existing standards for antibiotic residues in milk
- Limiting misuse of essential antibiotics such as penicillin
Such measures, Khurana noted, are showing some success. “Information shared by various organisations, agencies and experts suggest that ethno-veterinary medicines, better management of sub-clinical mastitis, and good farm management are contributing towards reducing antibiotic misuse.”
“India is now talking about antibiotic resistance in the one-health perspective,” noted Narain. “There is a shared concern, and all voices are now together in expressing that concern.” As such he believes further (and necessary) action will be taken.
“We must ramp up surveillance and testing, put a complete stop to the use of critically important antibiotics and penalise their use,” he added, “and work with farmers and the agriculture-dairy sectors to innovate on solutions.”
Randox Food Diagnostics
Randox Food Diagnostics recognise the pressure the dairy industry is under to mass produce high quality products whilst complying with regulations and have developed the solution. A comprehensive range of easy to use, accurate milk analysis methods for the qualitative and quantitative detection of contaminants in milk.
With 6 Biochip arrays available including the revolutionary InfiniPlex for Milk, Randox Food provide the highest quality testing platforms for the screening of antimicrobials and are the only commercial supplier of a multiplexing anthelmintics array in milk.
Biochip Array Technology saves time and money whilst enabling users to get a deeper insight into milk quality and ensure a safe supply chain.
Contact us at info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com, or visit https://www.randoxfood.com/milk-analysis/ to find out more about our milk testing solutions.
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Randox & Bosch Healthcare – Collaboratively Combating COVID-19
29th October 2020
Randox & Bosch Healthcare – Collaboratively Combating COVID-19
A game-changing partnership between Randox Laboratories and Bosch Healthcare Solutions continues to change the testing landscape and capabilities of both laboratory and non-laboratory settings in rapidly detecting COVID-19.
Providing clear and concise results, direct at the point of care, the Randox and Bosch Healthcare Solutions collaborative approach not only allows patients to take the recommended safety precautions without delay, but also provides a solution to both analyse and differentiate COVID-19 from other viral respiratory diseases. Multiple testing approaches with the same aim – to overcome COVID-19!
Combining science & technology, timing is of the essence in the fight against coronavirus. Together, we have combined efforts in successfully launching the Vivalytic – the all in one solution for molecular diagnostics consolidating nucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detection onto one small platform.
These efforts reflect a global partnership of both cooperation’s working together to deliver world-class diagnostic solutions, harnessing the power of innovation to improve health worldwide, providing an all in one approach minimising the spread of COVID-19 globally.
Launched after just six weeks at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March 2020, the Viral Respiratory Infection array (VRI) set the benchmark for rapidly detecting SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) whilst simultaneously differentiating between nine other respiratory diseases, in under two and a half hours.
Proactively working together to combat the spread of COVID-19, Randox, Bosch Healthcare Solutions and R-Biopharm are proud to offer variable analysis strategies to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Capable of providing reliable results in just 39 minutes, with a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100%, the Vivalytic SARS-CoV-2 rapid test is currently among one of the fastest PCR tests worldwide.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have significantly combined our efforts to provide a diverse range of testing solutions and approaches to meet the need of the rise in global cases. Our approaches have been utilised at all possible levels and together we open up a range of different testing strategies, with developments still underway with the upcoming release of the SARS-CoV-2 Pooling test.
The SARS-CoV-2 Pooling test is a rapid solution for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) offering an accelerated decentral testing approach to effectively and efficiently monitor and detect viral infection from the offset. Capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from up to five pooled samples simultaneously with a capacity to process more than 160 patient samples a day. The pooling could be done at the level of a ward, medical specialty, social bubble, or group of colleagues. It has potential for use in other settings, such as pre-operative screening, schools & universities, prisons, nursing homes, primary care, and large workplaces. Sample pooling allows more people to be tested quickly using fewer testing resources.
Partnering together, we continue to increase our testing capacity, enabling fully automated processing of patient samples to rapidly combat COVID-19.
Please contact marketing@randox.com for further information.
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Female Bladder Cancer Array
Female Bladder Cancer Array
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Improved Risk Stratification of Haematuria Patients
Identify Individuals at Greatest Risk of Bladder Cancer
- Improve management of patients with haematuria, reduce unnecessary investigations and refer those at greatest risk of bladder cancer for urgent cystoscopy.
- Simultaneous detection of four novel biomarkers from a single urine sample to determine an individuals biomarker risk score.
- Determine overall bladder cancer risk by combining biomarker risk scores with clinical risk scores generated using our complex algorithms.
There is an urgent critical need for additional evidence-based risk stratification models to inform triage and/or management decisions for patients presenting with haematuria. Current diagnostic methods such as cystoscopy and cytology are invasive, carry risks for the patient and have several limitations.
In addition, existing biomarkers lack specificity and may fail to differentiate between all possible causes of haematuria. Utilising patented biochip technology, the female bladder cancer array will allow accurate risk stratification of female patients presenting with haematuria. Bladder cancer is the 8th most common cancer in females, although more common in males mortality is twice as high in females highlighting the need for alternative diagnostic methods.
Biomarkers Tested
Interleukin-12 p70 (IL12p70) is a disulphide linked heterodimeric cytokine which regulates inflammation by linking innate and adaptive immune responses and potent inducer of antitumor immunity.
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is an immunoregulatory cytokine which plays an important role in carcinogenesis through affecting tumor immunosurveillance. IL-13 in the bladder cancer patients suggests that this cytokine is involved in progression in bladder cancer patients.
Midkine is a member of a family of heparin-binding growth factors, which was reported to have an important role in angiogenesis and is associated with bladder cancer progression.
Clusterin is conserved glycoprotein that has been distinguished from human fluids and tissues which plays a key role in cellular stress response and survival. It is in cancer metastasis, which is particularly important to design the strategies for treating metastatic patients.
The Evidence Investigator
Meet the Evidence Investigator
Developed for use on the Evidence Investigator, a semi-automated benchtop immunoassay analyser.
- Cost effective and efficient multiplex testing solution
- Comprehensive immunoassay & molecular test menu available
- Limited sample volume requirement
- Medium to high throughput
- Suitable for clinical and research testing
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our Investigator Webpage
Evidence Investigator: One Analyser for Multiple Food Testing Industries
28 September 2020
The Randox Evidence Investigator: One Analyser for Multiple Food Diagnostic Industries
The Randox Evidence Investigator has been validated for Randox Food Diagnostics across various food matrices including tissue, feed and cereals, honey, aquaculture, and milk, making it the perfect testing equipment solution for any food testing laboratory.
How can the Randox Evidence Investigator benefit me?
- The Randox Evidence Investigator is a multi-analyte quantitative drug residue screening analyser. Using Randox’s patented Biochip Technology, the analyser ensures screening food for drug residues is accurate and efficient, offering a range of laboratories comparable results to LC-MS/MS.
- Using multiplex technology, the Evidence Investigator can provide simultaneous detection for a wide range of analytes from a single sample, saving you time and resource, and getting the reliable results you need.
- The analyser uses unique image processing software to translate the Relative Light Units (RLU) generated from the chemiluminescent reactions into an analyte concentration.
- No manipulation of results is required, which reduces the scope for any operator error. The Randox Evidence Investigator provides excellent sensitivity with a quantitative concentration result (ppb) for each analyte tested.
- The analyser boasts an extensive test menu with tests for the most widely used drug residues and the most commonly detected mycotoxins in the feed production industry.
- When purchasing the Randox Evidence Investigator, you will receive the complete package required for sample analysis which includes the analyser, PC and imaging software, a thermoshaker and a barcode scanner.
Visit the Randox Food Diagnostics website for more information on this technology.
For all enquiries relating to food testing on any of our Randox analysers, please contact us via email at: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
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Preparing Your Vineyard for Harvest: A Randox Food Diagnostics Blog
28 August 2020
Preparing your vineyard for harvest: Excellence in every glass
Each year from August through October and maybe a little later, the Northern Hemisphere comes alive with the excitement and rush of harvest as wine makers celebrate with festivals, dinners and get together as the yearlong grape growing season comes to an end and harvest begins.
Producing the highest quality wine grapes is dependent upon many factors – mainly the right amount of sun and rain. The growing process can be stressful for winemakers as they anxiously keep a close eye on weather conditions, in hope that it’s clear of frosts, heatwaves and hail. These can all have detrimental impacts on the vineyard.
However, this year it hasn’t been weather conditions that have been a worry for winemakers. Instead, many vineyards have been significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and events that once brought life to local communities and vineyards are now taking place online. Channels for selling wine such as hotels, restaurants and airports have dried up with current restrictions, and online and supermarket sales have never been more important.
Like many industries the food and beverage sector has continued to operate through one of the most challenging times. Using a combination of expert knowledge and technology has ensured that the expectation put upon winemakers to create excellent wine is regularly achieved even in the toughest conditions.
Did you know that a wide range of elements are measured to ensure perfection in every bottle, including levels of acidity and sugar ripeness relevant to the desired style of wine? Technology has been giving winemakers a helping hand in ensuring the quality of each harvest for many years including Randox Food‘s RX misano – a compact, fast and efficient benchtop spectrophotometer capable of gaining results in 8-15 minutes.
For more information please visit Randox Food Diagnostics or email: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
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We Are Randox | Staff Newsletter January – July 2020 Edition
Staff Newsletter January - July 2020 Edition
We are delighted to be able to share with you the January – July 2020 edition of our We Are Randox staff newsletter.
Click here to view our news from 2020 so far – including of course our vital work in testing for COVID-19, but also a range of staff announcements including engagements, births and retirements.
** Please note that this newsletter works most efficiently in your Google Chrome browser**
Ergot Alkaloids ELISA now available from Randox Food Diagnostics
28 July 2020
Ergot Alkaloid ELISA now available from Randox Food Diagnostics
Available now, the Randox Food Diagnostics Ergot Alkaloid ELISA (Catalogue Number EA3491) is:
Compliant with the lowest proposed maximum levels being considered by the European Commission for the total of 12 main ergot alkaloids applicable from July 2020, including the stricter drafted limits from July 2022, for cereal-based feed, wheat and rye milling products.
Accurately detects the sum of 12 main ergot alkaloids to test the most affected type of cereal – rye flour. Randox’s ELISA results show an excellent 95% correlation with the assigned concentration within FAPAS Proficiency Test scheme.
Unrivalled in the detection of low contamination levels. The Z-score of FAPAS PT of -0.6 for baby multigrain food was obtained using Randox Ergot Alkaloids ELISA.
Validated based on Commission Regulation (EC) No 519/2014 as a semi-quantitative screening method for cereal-based feed, wheat and rye milling products. The same regulation was followed for fit-for-purpose approach assessment for confirmatory method, which approves Randox Ergot Alkaloids ELISA as being a method for official control. It is successfully assessed by fit-for-purpose approach according to Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as approved method of analysis.
Evaluated by third-party laboratory (Wageningen Food Safety research / WFSR, 2019) and proved to be able to distinguish between negative and positive samples. Randox’s ELISA displayed no false-negatives and no false-positives in this study. Across all commercially available ELISA tests, Randox Food Diagnostics Ergot Alkaloids ELISA was the only test which showed good performance with all 3 sample types, including 11 matrices and a total of 24 samples.
Reference reports are available upon request.
For more information visit https://www.randoxfood.com/feed-and-cereals-analysis/ergot-alkaloids/ or email us directly at info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
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