US-based Micro Imaging Technology(MIT)is set to unveil the first commercial unit of its Rapid Microbial Identification System,the MIT 1000,which is capable of detecting pathogenic bacteria in food.
The MIT 1000 is a stand-alone,optically-based,software driven system that can detect pathogenic bacteria.According to the company,the system can complete an identifying test in less than five minutes for$0.01 per test.The testing process requires clean water and a sample.
MIT chief scientist David Haavig said the leading causes of food borne illnesses in the US are three main strains of bacteria:E.coli,Salmonella,and Listeria.
"Rapid identification of these disease-causing pathogens in food is critical to the health and safety of all consumers,"Haavig added.
The company plans to unveil the device at the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection(IAFP),which will be held in Rhode Island from 22 July through 25 July 2012.
