Charm Sciences has launched the Charm Chloramphenicol Test: a patented Rapid One Step Assay (Rosa) test that detects chloramphenicol in raw milk.
The Charm Chloramphenicol Test has been designed to meet regulatory requirements around the world.
With a limit of detection of 0.1ppb, it meets the minimum required performance level for chloramphenicol set by the European Union.
It can also be used to uphold recent law by the Russian Milk Federation specifying that all milk imports be free of chloramphenicol (Federal law number 88-FL), as well as similar regulations such as those in the US and other countries that ban the use of chloramphenicol.
The Charm Chloramphenicol Test complements the US Food and Drug Administration-approved Charm II Test for chloramphenicol (M-I-92-11).
It uses patented Rosa technology, combining fast, accurate detection with ease of use, according to the company.
It follows the same procedure and uses the same equipment as other Rosa milk tests.
Users add milk to the test strip, incubate for eight minutes and read on the Rosa Reader.
The Pearl Reader stores results electronically for record keeping and analysis.
Chloramphenicol is a member of the amphenicol family of antibiotic drugs.
While effective, chloramphenicol's toxicity is well documented.
In most countries, chloramphenicol has been banned for use in food-producing animals because it is linked to aplastic anaemia, which can be fatal in humans.
The Charm Chloramphenicol Test joins the Charm range of Rosa milk tests.
Other Rosa milk tests include beta-lactam tests for the North American dairy market, MRL beta-lactam tests for international markets and tests for tetracyclines, enrofloxicin, sulfa drugs and aflatoxin M1.
Combination beta-lactam/tetracycline kits are also available.
All Rosa tests follow a similar procedure and can use the same equipment, providing efficiency and cost savings.
