The Fairfield plant processes more than 130,000 gallons of fluid milk product per day, packed under the Sunnyside Farms Quality Chekd label. The facility now tests more than 200 samples daily using 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count plates and Petrifilm Coliform Count plates. Less labor time. Because of the large number of samples plated each day at the Fairfield plant, Puckett says Petrifilm plates have become a real time-saver. To use agar pour plates we'd need an extra person to do the plating because it would take twice as long.
Simpler method means less training.
When it comes to labor, Puckett said that like most industries, food processors are doing more with less. Many facilities can't afford to have a full-time microbiologist to test samples, so the responsibility goes instead to employees who may not have an extensive microbiology background. But according to Puckett, Petrifilm plates are simple enough for anyone to use. Super Store Industries also supplements its microbial testing program through its relationship with Quality Chekd Dairies Inc., a member-owned organization of dairies that provides a variety of management services. According to Scherpf, Quality Chekd recommends Petrifilm plates to all its member dairies to help simplify microbial testing and increase labor productivity.