IAFP European Symposium 2025 – Poster Session P1-69

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IAFP European Symposium 2025 – Poster Session P1-69

Evaluation of Accuracy and Efficiency for Novel Automatic Colony Counting System for Ready-to-Use Culture Media, Easy Plate™

Introduction

Ready-to-use (RTU) culture media improves food safety testing by offering quicker preparation, compact form, easy handling, and clearer visibility of colonies compared to traditional agar media. However, manual colony counting remains labor-intensive and requires trained personnel. To enhance efficiency, an automated colony counting solution is necessary.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the rapidity and accuracy of a new Colony Counting System (CCS) developed for Easy Plate™ (Kikkoman Biochemifa Company). The CCS uses a general document scanner with an automatic feeder and dedicated analysis software based on object detection through machine learning.

Method

Ten types of food samples were diluted and plated on Easy Plate media for Aerobic Count (AC) and Coliform Count (CC) testing. Three levels of contamination were prepared, and results from the CCS were compared with conventional manual counting in terms of processing time and colony count accuracy.

Results

The CCS processed each sheet in approximately 5.0 to 6.4 seconds, regardless of bacterial load. In contrast, manual counting took between 13.8 and 44.5 seconds per sheet, especially longer at lower contamination levels (10–50 CFU/sheet). The correlation coefficient between the CCS and manual counting was over 0.98 for both AC and CC tests. These findings indicate that the CCS can reduce counting time by approximately 77% without compromising accuracy.

Significance

Combining ready-to-use culture media with an automated counting system provides an efficient, accurate, and cost-saving approach to microbiological testing. This innovation is particularly valuable for high-throughput environments in food safety laboratories.

Presenters

  • Shinichiro Sugiura, Primary Author, Kikkoman Biochemifa Company
  • Kentaro Takenaka, Abstract Presenter, Kikkoman Corporation

Outline

Product Easy Plate (AC, EC, CC, SA, YM-R,EB)
Event date 2025.05.06
Session 2025.04.18～2025.05.30

Seminar Detail

Venue Madrid, Spain, Melia Avenida America

Related seminars

IAFP European Symposium 2025 – Technical Session 9
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IAFP European Symposium 2025 – Technical Session 9

T9: Evaluation of Easy Plate YM-R™ for Enumerating Yeasts and Molds in Both High and Low Water Activity Foods

Introduction

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company will be presenting new validation data for Easy Plate YM-R™, a ready-to-use (RTU) culture medium developed for the rapid enumeration of yeasts and molds. The product enables results in 48 to 72 hours and is suitable for both high and low water activity foods. This presentation will take place as part of Technical Session 9 (T9) at the IAFP European Symposium 2025.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of Easy Plate YM-R™ in alignment with AOAC Performance Tested Methods℠, MicroVal, and NordVal certification requirements, with particular focus on applied statistical methods for method validation.

Study Overview

Methodology:

Easy Plate YM-R™ was compared against ISO 21527-1/2 (2008) and BAM Chapter 18 (2001). Validation was conducted across diverse product categories including:

  • Dairy
  • Fruits and produce
  • Multicomponent foods
  • Bakery items
  • Meat and poultry
  • Dried foods
  • Confectionery
  • Pet foods
  • Environmental swabs

Parameters assessed include:

  • Relative trueness: 135 items using Bland-Altman plots
  • Repeatability and accuracy: β-ETIs and confidence intervals (19 items)
  • Selectivity: 50 inclusivity strains, 30 exclusivity strains Robustness, consistency, and stability: via ANOVA

Key Findings

  • At 48 hours, Easy Plate YM-R™ demonstrated agreement with reference methods in three categories: produce, multicomponent foods, and environmental samples
  • At 72 hours, consistent agreement was achieved across all tested food types, within ±0.5 log or recalculated acceptance limits
  • Selectivity surpassed reference methods, with the medium supporting growth of all tested xerophilic and non-xerophilic inclusivity strains, and inhibiting all exclusivity strains
  • Robustness testing indicated the importance of maintaining correct incubation temperature
  • Consistency and long-term product stability were also confirmed

Conclusion

Easy Plate YM-R™ is a robust and time-saving alternative to traditional yeast and mold testing methods. It offers a simplified workflow, wide applicability across food matrices, and strong statistical validation. The method is especially valuable for manufacturers managing both high and low water activity products.

Presenters

  • Shinichiro Sugiura – Primary Author and Presenter, Kikkoman Biochemifa Company
  • Daiki Utsunomiya – Kikkoman Biochemifa Company
  • Alice Foxall – Campden BRI
  • Suzanne Jordan – Campden BRI

We welcome IAFP EU 2025 attendees to join Technical Session 9 (T9) to learn more about the validation and application of Easy Plate YM-R™ in microbiological testing. For additional information or to request a meeting during the event, please contact us through our [inquiry form] or speak with your local representative.

Discover the efficiency and accuracy of the prepared media plate EASY PLATE to elevate your food safety
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AAFP 2024 (Arkansas Association for Food Protection) 

Join us for an insightful Lunch & Learn event during our Fall Conference, where you'll discover how to revolutionize your microbiological testing processes with Kikkoman Easy Plate. This game-changing solution is specifically designed for the meat and poultry industry, ensuring reliable results, reducing waste, and boosting operational efficiency.

Presenter

Alissa Shida 
Overseas Hygiene Monitoring Testing Group, Regional Manager, Kikkoman Biochemifa Company

Overview: Kikkoman Easy Plate - Revolutionizing Microbiological Testing

Microbiological testing is crucial for ensuring food safety in the meat and poultry industry. Traditional methods can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. Kikkoman Easy Plate offers a streamlined solution designed to enhance efficiency and maintain the highest standards of safety.

What is Easy Plate?

Save time, labor, and money with Kikkoman Easy Plate. Easy Plate is a convenient, prepared media plates for faster and easier microbiological testing. Using a time-tested and AOAC validated culture media methodology, Easy Plate comes in an easy-to-use, stackable film plate format that saves on space, reduces waste, eliminates preparation time and labor, and streamlines your test procedures.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Easy-to-Use: Ready-to-use plates eliminate the need for media preparation, saving valuable time and labor.
  • Space-Saving: Stackable film plate format reduces storage requirements and frees up lab space.
  • Waste Reduction: Pre-prepared plates minimize waste associated with traditional media preparation.
  • Streamlined Testing: Each Easy Plate is designed for specific target organisms, ensuring targeted and efficient testing.

Specialized Testing Options

Kikkoman Easy Plate offers specialized plates for various target organisms:

Why Choose Kikkoman Easy Plate?

  • Validated Methodology: AOAC validated, ensuring reliable and accurate results.
  • Cost-Effective: Reduces costs associated with media preparation, labor, and waste disposal.
  • Efficiency: Speeds up the testing process, allowing for quicker decision-making and improved food safety management.

Upgrade Your Microbiological Testing Process

Kikkoman Easy Plate is designed to meet the specific needs of the meat and poultry industry, ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost savings. Enhance your microbiological testing today with Kikkoman Easy Plate – where convenience meets reliability.

    Enhancing Hygiene Control in Food and Beverage with ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) and Ready-to-Use Medium Easy Plate
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    Objective

    In today's dynamic food and beverage industry, maintaining impeccable hygiene standards is paramount to ensuring consumer safety and product reliability. To address these crucial aspects, " Enhancing Hygiene Control in Food and Beverage with ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) and Ready-to-Use Medium Easy Plate” is designed to provide actionable insights and practical tools for optimizing hygiene management practices.

    The seminar will kick off with an in-depth exploration of the fundamental importance of hygiene control in food and beverage industry. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks associated with inadequate hygiene measures and the impact on consumer trust and brand reputation.

    A key highlight of the seminar will be the examination of ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) as a cutting-edge solution for rapid and reliable hygiene monitoring. Attendees will discover how this innovative testing method can revolutionize their hygiene control protocols, enabling them to detect and address potential issues swiftly, thereby safeguarding product quality and consumer well-being.

    Furthermore, the seminar will showcase the transformative capabilities of ready-to-use medium Easy Plate for microbiological testing processes. Attendees will learn about the unique features of Easy Plate, including its stackable film plate format, space-saving design, and AI-powered Colony Counting System. This system not only enhances accuracy and efficiency in colony analysis but also simplifies result interpretation and documentation.

    Throughout the seminar, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions, share best practices, and collaborate with industry experts to develop tailored strategies for implementing ATP testing and Easy Plate in their respective operations. Practical demonstrations and case studies will further illustrate the real-world benefits of these hygiene control solutions.

    Overview

    This seminar aims to explore the pivotal role of ATP testing and Easy Plate kits in upholding hygiene control and safety standards within the food and beverage industry. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the advantages offered by these innovative tools, including their speed, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and precision in monitoring hygiene levels across production processes.

    Seminar Objectives

    • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the significance of hygiene management in the food and beverage industry. 
    • Investigate the benefits of utilizing ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) for swift and dependable hygiene monitoring.
    • Discover how Easy Plate can optimize time, minimize labor costs, and enhance product quality in food and beverage manufacturing.

    What Attendees will learn 

    • Gain in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge hygiene monitoring techniques.
    • Learn how to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality in food and beverage industry. 
    • Receive practical tips and resources for implementing ATP testing and Easy Plate
    • Understand the Colony Counting System for Easy Plate, featuring highly accurate analysis powered by AI technologies.

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