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| '''Title''': ''How does a LIMS benefit microbiological sampling and testing in the food and beverage industry?''
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| '''Author for citation''': Shawn E. Douglas
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| '''License for content''': [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International]
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| '''Publication date''': January 2024
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| ==Introduction==
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| ==LIMS and microbiological sampling and analysis of foods and beverages==
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| In the world of microbiological testing of foods, beverages, and their processing environment, the importance of proper sampling and analytical practices—including having a sound sampling plan—can't be understated.<ref name="JacksonManage23">{{cite book |last=Jackson, T. |year=2023 |editor-last=Andersen, V.; Lelieveld, H.; Motarjemi, Y. |title=Food Safety Management: A Practical Guide for the Food Industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3TpwEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover |chapter=Management of Microbiological Hazards: Role of Testing as Verification |edition=2nd |publisher=Elsevier, Inc |pages=851–72 |isbn=9780128200131}}</ref><ref name="ErkmanSamp22">{{cite book |last=Erkmen |first=Osman |date=2022 |title=Microbiological analysis of foods and food processing environments |chapter=Practice 1: Sampling and sample preparation techniques |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kU6EAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover |publisher=Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier |place=London San Diego, CA Cambridge, MA Kidlington, Oxford |pages=3–12 |isbn=978-0-323-91651-6}}</ref><ref name="FockerDesign23">{{cite journal |last=Focker |first=M. |last2=van Asselt |first2=E.D. |last3=van der Fels-Klerx |first3=H.J. |year=2023 |title=Designing a risk-based monitoring plan for pathogens in food: A review |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0956713522005126 |journal=Food Control |language=en |volume=143 |pages=109319 |doi=10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109319}}</ref><ref name="DeLoyHemdrikxSampling18">{{cite book |last=De Loy-Hendrickx, A.; Vermeulen, A.; Jacxxens, L. et al. |year=2018 |editor-last=Mieke, U. |title=Microbiological Guidelines: Support for Interpretation of Microbiological Test Results of Foods |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pG1UDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT108 |chapter=Part II: Sampling |publisher=Die Keure |pages=95–136 |isbn=9782874035036}}</ref><ref name="ICMSFMicro18">{{cite book |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-68460-4 |title=Microorganisms in Foods 7: Microbiological Testing in Food Safety Management |author=International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods |publisher=Springer International Publishing |year=2018 |edition=2nd |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-68460-4 |isbn=978-3-319-68458-1}}</ref> The production of properly tasting foods and beverages that are safe to consume are paramount to both the consumer and producer, which is in strong part built upon solid verification and end-point sampling and testing practices throughout the entire process, from ingredient acquisition to shipping the final product.
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| Sampling plans are a critical component of microbiological sampling and testing practices in the food and beverage industry. Sampling plans essentially take identified sampling points within a controlled manufacturing environment and define the frequency at which those sampling points are monitored and drawn from, while linking those collected samples to one or more specific standardized test methods and analyses. The frequency may be daily, monthly, quarterly, annual, or custom-defined (or even randomized<ref name="AIAutoInt20">{{cite web |url=https://www.autoscribeinformatics.com/resources/blog/autoscribe-integrates-field-sample-planning-and-scheduling-management |title=Autoscribe Integrates Field Sample Planning and Scheduling Management |publisher=Autoscribe Informatics, Inc |work=Autoscribe Blog |date=28 April 2020 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref>), with each sampling point having it's own requirements, often different from sample point to sample point.
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| Microbiological sampling plans are driven in part by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) <ref name=FDASampling23">{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/compliance-enforcement-food/sampling-protect-food-supply |title=Sampling to Protect the Food Supply |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration |date=13 June 2023 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="FDAHACCP22">{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/food/hazard-analysis-critical-control-point-haccp/haccp-principles-application-guidelines |title=HACCP Principles & Application Guidelines |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration |date=25 February 2022 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref>, as well as compulsion or requirement to conform or be accredited to standards such as ISO 2859 ''Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes''.<ref name="ISO2859">{{cite web |url=https://www.iso.org/standard/1141.html |title=ISO 2859-1:1999 ''Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes - Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection'' |publisher=International Organization for Standardization |date=November 1999 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref> Despite the wide variability that can be found in a sampling plan, they tend to fall into two categories: attributes plans and variables plans. Broadly speaking, attributes plans are useful when little or no information is known about a food processing method or the past performance of a food or beverage producer but presence/absence testing is required; this is common for regulated testing at points of entry, as found with adulteration testing. Variables sampling plans, on the other hand, are useful where the frequency distribution of microorganisms within a given food or beverage lot is known or can easily be assumed. This type of sample plan is more applicable to food and beverage manufacturers conducting verification and end-point testing in their production processes.<ref name="JacksonManage23" /><ref name="ErkmanSamp22" /><ref name="ICMSFMicro18-C7">{{cite book |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-68460-4 |title=Microorganisms in Foods 7: Microbiological Testing in Food Safety Management |chapter=Chapter 7: Sampling Plans |author=International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods |publisher=Springer International Publishing |year=2018 |edition=2nd |pages=145–64 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-68460-4 |isbn=978-3-319-68458-1}}</ref>
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| A LIMS can make enacting a lab's sampling plan easier in a number of ways. First, resource planning and quality control (QC) within the lab are important to accurate high-volume sampling and analyses, which better ensures resources such as instruments, equipment, and personnel are more efficiently scheduled, maintained, and put to positive use, and that sampling and analytical procedures are true to standardized methods and standard operating procedures.<ref name="JacksonManage23" /><ref name="LWHighVol21">{{cite web |url=https://www.labware.com/blog/meet-challenges-high-sample-volumes-environmental-monitoring |title=High Volume Environmental Monitoring: LabWare LIMS Solutions |publisher=LabWare, Inc |work=LabWare blog |date=06 April 2021 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref> Given the variable frequency, and the differences of sampling and analytical methods at differing sampling points, a LIMS' ability to manage schedules, enforce standardized methods and workflows, and send alerts further helps the lab enact its sampling plan. In some cases, microbiological sampling and analyses may be required outside the manufacturing plant, for example at a point of distribution or at an ingredient or raw food supplier's facility. In this case, a well-developed LIMS that has strong mobile support, as well as scheduling of samplers and analysts to remote locations, can better allow for field sampling and the management of on-site microbiological test results, in turn supporting any field-based sampling plans.<ref name="AIAutoInt20" /> In summation, a LIMS' ability to handle numerous aspects of sample and resource management, from scheduling to final analysis and reporting, streamlines sampling workflows and enhances the accuracy of results, bolstering any microbiology lab's sampling plan.
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| Second, a sampling plan is further enhanced by a LIMS' ability to improve the scientifically and legally defensible nature of sampling and analytical data (i.e., data integrity). For example, a LIMS that supports barcoded and RFID sample management will minimize hand-entered sample IDs (and in turn reduce errors in sample receipt, scheduling, and tracking) and better ensure proper metadata (e.g., time, date, sampler) are associated with each sample. When properly entered into the system as such, the LIMS can then quickly and accurately move it to the next step of workflow, or it can identify an abnormality or missing metadata and flag or alert it for immediate action so that the timely nature of sampling and analysis and can be maintained. Of course, the audit trail of the LIMS itself also aids in the defensibility of sampling data, as when implemented properly, it will document every step of the process, including any modifications, overrides, or approvals of results. The LIMS can also enforce hold times and requirements for blanks, and some even allow for environmental monitoring of sample preservation locations (e.g., tracking of ambient and storage temperature) to ensure regulatory requirements are being met.<ref name="JacksonManage23" /><ref name="TyerHowToEnsure">{{cite web |url=https://www.hargis.com/blog/how-to-ensure-environmental-sampling-data-are-scientifically-sound-and-legally-defensible/ |title=How to Ensure Environmental Sampling Data Are Scientifically Sound and Legally Defensible |author=Tyer, M. |work=Hargis & Associates Blog |publisher=Hargis & Associates, Inc |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref><ref name=PFPLTGFoodFeed13">{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/media/88973/download |format=PDF |title=Food/Feed Testing Laboratories Best Practices Manual (Draft) |author=Partnership for Food Protection Laboratory Task Group |date=01 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="PFPLSWHumanAnim18">{{cite web |url=https://www.aphl.org/programs/food_safety/APHL%20Documents/LBPM_Dec2018.pdf |format=PDF |title=Human and Animal Food Testing Laboratories Best Practices Manual |author=Partnership for Food Protection Laboratory Science Workgroup |date=December 2018}}</ref>
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| However, as the reader should quickly notice, these aspects of a LIMS aren't useful for only sampling plans and sample management, but also the analytical testing of food and beverage samples. This includes specific types of analyses, including stability and environmental testing.<ref name="OConnorMicro22">{{cite web |url=https://www.safefood.net/professional/food-safety/laboratories/micro-food-testing |title=Microbiological testing: What food businesses need to know |author=O'Connor, L.; Lenahan, M.; McCormack, U. et al. |work=SafeFood.com |publisher=SafeFood |date=09 June 2022 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="CSolsEnabling21">{{cite web |url=https://www.csolsinc.com/blog/use-samplemanager-lims-stop-food-borne-pathogens/ |title=Enabling Food Safety with SampleManager LIMS |publisher=CSols, Inc |date=12 August 2021 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref> Most if not all the principles applied to sampling and sampling plans can also be applied to testing. The scheduling, instrument maintenance tracking, sample tracking, audit trail, and barcode and RFID support provided by the LIMS also benefits analytical practices, that can vary as much as the type of food or beverage substrate and microbiological hazards associated with that substrate.<ref name="OConnorMicro22" /> The sheer number and complexity of available standardized microbiology test methods alone can be a daunting task to any paper-based microbiology lab, and managing and assigning those test methods to specific analytical tasks automatically through the LIMS can be highly appealing.
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| That being said, a mediocre LIMS vendor approach to microbiology testing, and any naive assumptions of an IT department selecting the LIMS for the lab, can be problematic, as it can be difficult for even well-designed LIMS to meet the needs of microbiology laboratories conducting quality testing throughout the manufacturing chain.<ref name="KelleyMODA19">{{cite web |url=https://www.lonzabioscience.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MODA-The-gap-between-LIMS-and-QC.pdf |format=PDF |title=MODA Solution - The Gap Between LIMS Capabilities and QC Microbiology Needs |author=Kelley, R. |publisher=Lonza Wayne, Inc |date=2019 |accessdate=09 February 2024}}</ref> As noted above concerning sampling, location (i.e., the sample point) is vital, and any LIMS must be flexible enough to associate practically most sample data to a location. So too was data integrity and the defensibility of sampling data in the LIMS mentioned, and of course this applies to analytical data as well (truly all data, for meeting data integrity requirements). This includes ensuring that data entered into the system is contemporaneous, which can be difficult given that inline monitoring devices such as particle counters and endotoxin detection systems may not be directly interfaceable to a LIMS solution, requiring some sort of middleware solution that can collect the data from those instruments and send it over a network that is rock-solid and highly available to the LIMS or some instrument data system (IDS) integrated to the LIMS. The LIMS also should be able to fully handle environmental monitoring data such that robust trend analysis can quickly and efficiently be performed on it, while at the same time being able to pull up critical metadata such as sampling personnel involved, organism identified, and the associated action limits for that organism all from one location.<ref name="KelleyMODA19" />
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| '''Sampling plan and LIMS for food''': https://foodsafetytech.com/tag/laboratory-information-management-system/
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| '''Sampling plan and LIMS''': https://eudl.eu/pdf/10.4108/eai.24-2-2023.2330696
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| '''Sampling plans and an optimal risk-based monitoring plan for microbiological hazards'''<ref name="FockerDesign23" />
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| '''Sampling for food safety''': https://www.campdenbri.co.uk/blogs/sampling-for-safety.php
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| '''Effective sampling plans during pandemic''': https://www.dksh.com/global-en/lab-solutions/insights/how-effective-sampling-plans-can-improve-quality-assurance-and-food-safety-during-a-pandemic#accordion-1578360548811-0-collapse
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| '''Implementation of Food Safety Management Systems along with Other Management Tools''': https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8468768/
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| '''Sampling and testing: What are the objectives'''<ref name="DeLoyHemdrikxSampling18" />
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| '''LIMS in a Shop Floor IT Landscape + sample plans''': https://www.frontwell-solutions.com/blog/lims-3/lims-in-a-shop-floor-it-landscape-21
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| '''Sampling and testing: What are the objectives'''<ref name="DeLoyHemdrikxSampling18" />
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| ==Conclusion==
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
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