1. Sample collection & submission, chain of custody, choosing the right test for Microbiological testing

3. Common Types of Microbiological Samples for Food Plants  Swabs (stick, sponge, cloth)  Bulk – Raw materials, Finished Products  Water

4. Preparing to Collect Swab Samples  Appropriate type and amount of swabs  Labelling materials  Sanitizer  Neutralizing buffer  Chain of custody  Sampling plan

5. Types of Swabs  Stick  Sponge  Cloth

6. Swabbing Technique  Label swab, noting sampling location  Open swab aseptically and swab sample site  Close swab and sanitize swab site  Refrigerate swabs until transport to laboratory

7. Preparing to Collect Product Samples  Sterile Sampling Materials Spoons, forceps, knives Sample bags or containers Gloves, other protective apparel as required  Labelling Materials  Chain of Custody  Sampling Plan

8. Product Sampling Guidelines  Collect unopened containers if possible  If collecting from bulk containers, ensure sample is representative of the product being sampled  Make sure to collect at least enough sample to meet analysis requirements  Store samples at appropriate temperature in preparation for delivery to the laboratory

9. Planning for Collecting a Water Sample:  Sterile Sample Bottles preservative  Labels  Chain of Custody  Cooler and Ice Packs  Transportation Arrangements

10. Water Sample Site Considerations Sites to Avoid:  Dead end mains  Seldom used faucets  Faucets with a point of use filter eg. Carbon  Garden or other flexible hoses

11. Collecting the Water Sample  Pre-label the sample container -Date, time of sample, site location  Remove any aerators or screens from the faucet  Run the faucet cold for at least 2 minutes  Open the sample bottle and collect the water until the shoulder, leaving a headspace  Seal the sampling container tightly

12. Preparing Samples for Shipping to the Laboratory  Place samples in a cooler with an ice pack  Do not allow water samples to freeze  Avoid loose ice  Include Complete Chain of Custody (COC)  Label cooler clearly with site location and destination laboratory location

13. Important Components of a Chain of Custody (COC)  Identifies sender and receiver of sampled materials  Specifies analyses and methodologies to be performed on samples  Provides descriptions of samples for reporting of analysis results  Serves as a legal document for the traceability of the handling and possession of samples

14. Points to Remember when Completing COCs  Contact information for company and sampler is available  Sample descriptions allow for the easy identification of the samples included  Analysis and methodology indicated  Sampling plan requirements clearly stated

15. Chain of Custody (Water)  Client Information  Sample Site Identifications  Name of Sampler  Date and time of sample collections  Analysis Requested  Drinking/ Non-drinking water

16. Choosing the Right Test  Consider the Objectives of Testing: Sanitation monitoring ○ Standard Plate Count, Coliforms, Yeast & Mold Regulatory compliance ○ Correct method for compliance Lab accreditation for methodology Pathogen screening ○ Appropriate for the product/environment

17. Importance of Proper Sampling  From J. Moldenauer and Sutton, “Towards an Improved Sterility Test,” Commentary, PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Odds of catching sterility breakdown in a batch when taking 20 samples for USP sterility test

18. Thank you Contact: Alex Montgomery IG MicroMed Environmental Inc. 604-279-0666 alex@igmicromed.com