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The Life of a Sample
The Life of a Sample
OverviewThis presentation will review the general pathway of a sample
received at NQAC Dublin.
We will follow a sample from receipt to report, going through the
following areas:
• Receiving
• Sample Processing Teams
• Compositing
• Laboratories
• ReportingSample
ProcessingLaboratories Reporting
Laboratories ReportingSample Processing
Overview
Receiving ShipmentsSamples are sorted between the Chemistry
and Microbiology departments as the boxes
are opened.
Associates in the receiving area ensure that
each sample listed on the Analysis Request
Form (ARF) is received and matches the
ARF.
Samples that are missing documentation,
have documentation that doesn’t match
samples received, or are compromised are
identified.
NQAC Dublin
receives between
100 and 350
sample boxes
Monday –
Sunday.
Receiving Shipments
Chemistry Samples
Chemistry samples are opened, processed, and sent to our chemistry login team
for registering into our system.
Samples that have a deviation identified are sent to our Customer Service Team to contact the customer.
Microbiology samples are opened, processed, and delivered
to a climate controlled area until ready to be further
processed.
Receiving Shipments
Microbiology Samples
These samples are then supplied to each of our micro
streams:
Infant Snacks
Powders
Prepared Foods
Special Testing
Sample Processing ReportingLaboratories
Overview
Chemistry
Sample Processing TeamThe information provided on the Analysis Request Form
(ARF) is manually entered into our computer system.
All of this information is important for sample
processing traceability and is required for our ISO
certification.
Customers receive automated notifications that NQAC has
received their samples after samples are logged in.
Each project is reviewed twice. Final Products have pictures
taken to record pertinent information such as ingredients
and nutrition facts. This information is used by the chemistry
laboratories during processing.
Customers are notified of any sample deviation by the
Chemistry Sample Processing Team and the Customer
Service Team.
Our Chemistry
Sample Processing
Team receives
anywhere from 500 to
2500 tests Monday –
Sunday.
Chemistry Compositing
Chemistry samples requesting
more than one analysis or any
samples requiring compositing /
homogenizing, are sent to our
compositing group.
This group homogenizes the
sample and creates aliquots for
the requested analyses.
The aliquots are then sorted
amongst the different methods.
The individual chemistry labs can
then request the samples at the
scheduled intervals.
Chemistry
LaboratoriesWe have several departments within our chemistry
department, each specialized in their testing.
Vitamins
Authenticity
Contaminants
General Chemistry
Analysts use our LIMS system to request samples
for the next day.
Method run times vary widely, anywhere from a few
hours, to a few days.
Chemistry
LaboratoriesPreparation work is required before samples are run on instruments.
Results are entered both by importing the results and manual entry.
Top quality instruments and data programs are used to obtain the most accurate
results.
If you have questions regarding specific methods,
please contact Customer Service at
Microbiology
Sample Processing TeamThe information provided on the Analysis Request
Form (ARF) is manually entered into our computer
system.
MEARS forms are imported into our system
electronically. This allows for faster processing
because the information that requires manual entry
is minimal.
Each project is reviewed.
Customers receive automated notifications that
NQAC has received their samples after samples are
logged in.
Customers are notified of any sample deviation by
the Customer Service Team.
Our Microbiology Sample
Processing Teams receive
anywhere from 2500 to 5200
tests Tuesday – Friday, and
800-4000 tests Monday and
Saturday.
Microbiology Sample Processing Team
The Powders Stream
processes powder samples,
baby formula and the majority
of samples we receive that
require dilution verification.
After the samples are logged
into the LIMS system, each
Stream Team aseptically
weighs the samples.
The Prepared Foods Stream
processes frozen prepared food
and ingredients.
In each stream, weighed samples
will go through the pre-enrichment
phase of testing. At this time, the
samples are matched with the
appropriate pre-enrichment media
and the lot numbers of the media
are recorded in our LIMS system.
Samples are then incubated per
testing method.
The Infant Snacks Stream
processes various types of baby
cereals, swab samples, and
wrapped candy.
In each stream, General micro
samples are set-up for the requested
analyses after the General aliquots
are weighed.
After the incubation, samples are
pulled and results are manually
entered by the plate reader.
Samples will then go through the
reporting process.
Powders Stream
Prepared Foods
Stream
Infant Snacks Stream
Microbiology Special Testing
Samples that have requirements outside of our
stream processing teams will go to special
testing.
Examples include:
Commercial Sterility Testing
Spore Testing
TAB Testing
Listeria Enumeration
General Presumptive
Confirmations
Microbiology Laboratories Pathogens - VIDASOnce the initial incubation is complete, both the Salmonella
and Listeria methods require a secondary enrichment.
Samples are pulled according to their incubation times and
transferred.
Samples finished with secondary enrichment move on to
VIDAS. VIDAS is a rapid method of detection used for our
Salmonella and Listeria samples. Results from VIDAS are
imported into our LIMS system.
Samples that screen “absent” on VIDAS will be entered as
such and will be reported once all Data Acceptability
Criteria have been met.
Samples that screen “presumptive” on VIDAS are taken
on for further confirmation, per the designated method.
Once a final result is determined, the result is reported.
Microbiology Laboratories Pathogens – Bio-Rad IQ-Check
An alternative Salmonella method offered is the Bio-Rad
IQ-Check.
Where the VIDAS method only targets antigens on a
Salmonella cell, the Bio-Rad IQ-Check is a Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR), meaning it targets the actual DNA
unique to Salmonella.
Targeting Salmonella in this fashion greatly reduces the
risk of a false presumptive. Due to the increased
sensitivity of the test, a secondary enrichment is not
needed on PCR, resulting in a shorter (24 hour) turn
around time.
Matrices that inhibit or slow the growth of Salmonella
can, however, present challenges for this platform.
Some inhibitory matrices may need to be enriched at a
higher dilution to achieve a detectable number of cells
than on the VIDAS method.
Sample Processing Laboratories Reporting
Overview
All results must pass the Data Acceptability Criteria before they can be sent to the customer.
Data goes through a 3 part review process:
Result entry
Secondary review
Final review
Chemistry Laboratories
Reporting Results
Microbiology Laboratories
Reporting Results
Before results can be sent to the Customer, all Data Acceptability Criteria must be met.
Media and method controls must have passed.
Internal controls, such as temperature, must be within specification.
Data goes through a 3 part review process.
Result entry
Secondary review
Final review
NQAC Dublin Confidentiality Policy
NQAC Dublin’s confidentiality guideline is to not provide results to a person requesting results if they are not listed
as a report recipient. However, we will work with individuals requesting a report with contacting those that are listed as
result recipients on the report to gain permission to share the requested results, either directly or by having them forwarded
to the requestor.
Why? We have many Nestlé & Non-Nestlé customers that want to ensure that we do not share results with anyone whom
are not directly associated with the results in our system as well as this being part of our ISO certification. Due to the
nature of these requests, the policy outline above is strictly adhered to protect us from releasing these types of
results to the incorrect people.
What if Results are Urgently Needed? If the original people that received the results cannot be reached in time,
please feel free to contact the Customer Service Manager (Mollie Cradle) to see if the results can be released as needed.
Our Promise to Our Customers
Did you know that NQAC Dublin’s services are
available beyond Nestlé products?
It is our responsibility to hold all of the products we test to the highest safety and
quality standards and we believe your consumers deserve to have the
confidence in the foods they feed their families. Our high standards help keep
your brand trusted, your consumers safe, and ensure your products are of
the best quality.
As previously mentioned, our confidentiality policy is held in the highest regard.
NQAC Dublin will never intentionally share your information with any
unauthorized person or company, including Nestlé. Nestlé will never receive
your information unless you have provided authorization. Your information at
NQAC Dublin is completely confidential and will only be released to individuals
that you authorize.
The NQAC Dublin facility has the ability and capacity to test nearly every food and beverage product to verify
compliance with regulatory and food safety. We work closely with the FDA to foster method alignment and
follow regulatory changes.
What can NQAC Dublin do for you? Our dedicated team of scientists and quality experts are ready to serve your needs. We are a
resource that you can count on for all laboratory and food safety related topics.
Our services include:
Microbiology
General
Pathogens
Special Analysis
Chemistry
General Nutritional Parameters
Specific Nutritional Analysis
Contaminants
Residue Analysis
Authenticity Analysis
GMOs
Allergens
Stability Analysis
Contact Customer Services to learn more about how
NQAC Dublin can serve your company beyond Nestlé.
Thank you. We appreciate your feedback and
participation in our focus group. The
feedback customers provide through
surveys, focus groups and other
communications are extremely helpful for
NQAC Dublin to provide you better service
and make continuous improvements.
Questions? Please contact Customer
Service if you have any questions or would
like to provide additional feedback.
