Bottled Water
Bottled water samples need not be refrigerated provided
that the original bottle was not opened. Vended samples must be collected in an approved
container. These are only accepted by public heatlh officials. (See drinking water
above.)
BayWater
Baywater (or Seawater) is collected by sanitarians from
the health department and submitted to the laboratory on ice within 24 hours of
collection. The receipt temperature is not to be greater than 10.0o
Celsius. 100
ml is to be collected.
Stream and Sewage Analysis
These samples are run only for the local health
department. Samples are to be run within 6 hours of collection and kept on ice prior to
arrival. 100 ml is to be collected.
Dairy Water
Dairy water is regulated by the FDA. It is to be collected
and shipped to the lab on ice. Testing is to be done within 30 hours of receipt. 100ml is
to be collected. Samples must include a temperature control which is to be 0.0 to 4.4o
Celsius.
MILK
All fluid milk samples are to be collected asceptically
and delivered to the lab as soon as possible. The samples are placed in an ice-water
mixture including a temperature control. Samples must not be submerged. If
submersion will happen place the samples in a larger plastic bag and place that in the
ice. The size of the pasteurized product sample for temperature control must be at least
one-half the size of the largest sample being collected. Sufficient time must be allowed
so the samples can be received and tested within the 48 - 72 hour time limit.
FOOD
Food items should be refrigerated and maintained at 0 to
4.0o Celsius until arrival at the lab. Whenever possible, submit samples to the
laboratory in the original unopened containers. If the original container is too large,
transfer representative portions to sterile containers using asceptic technique. Dry or
canned foods that are not perishable should be collected and shipped at ambient
temperature. Frozen foods should be shipped frozen. Do not freeze refrigerated foods.
Collect at least 100 grams of each sample unit. (Four quarters and one penny weigh
approximately 25 grams.)
Shellfish samples should be shucked and packed in crushed
ice immediately and transported to the lab maintaining an ambient temperature of 0.0 to 10o
Celsius. Do not freeze. For red tide assays, collect at least 150 grams of
oyster meat, drain, and freeze. Sample must be shipped overnight.
If you have any questions regarding the procedures you may
contact by e-mail
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