Microbiology-PTM-OMA_Modules_1-5

Artificial Contamination of Foods • Use food‐borne isolates if possible, preferably from a similar food type • Choose inoculation species/serovars based on prevalence in the matrix or  outbreak data • Choose a different inoculation species/serovar for each claimed matrix • For single target assays, inoculate matrix with a single target strain • For multiplex assays, inoculate at least one matrix with all target strains • Strain source • Internationally recognized source (e.g., ATCC) • Laboratory isolate (must have documentation verifying identity of strain) • Bulk inoculation required whenever possible • Exceptions for “unit” matrices such as chicken carcasses and whole cantaloupe