PATHOGEN SURROGATES BASED ON ENCAPSULATED TAGGED DNA FOR VERIFICATION OF SANITATION AND WASH WATER SYSTEMS FOR FRESH PRODUCE

Abstract

A pathogen surrogate, formed by a DNA tag or bar code and a carrier, is described for use in the validation and verification of sanitation, such as in food processing operations and for wash water systems for fresh produce. The carrier material is selected so that the pathogen surrogate mimics the behavior of a pathogen when subjected to a sanitation operation. One or more surrogates can be introduced in to an environment, which is then subjected to sanitation process, followed by a detection process using the DNA tag of the surrogate.

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