FDA and NCIMS Approve a Safer, More Accurate Method of Tank Sampling for Milk Tanker Trucks
QMI® Aseptic Sampling Method Approved for Use by Milk Haulers an
Dairy Plants
OAKDALE, MN (SEPTEMBER 18, 2007) - Recent publication of FDA memo IMS-a-46 Actions of the 2007 National Conference on Interstate Milk Shippers, authorizes use of the QMI® Aseptic Sampling System for sampling milk tanker trucks.
Bob Gilchrist, Fluid Milk Marketing and Transportation Manager of Agri-Mark supports this innovative method of sampling. Agri-Mark of Lawrence, MA, is a leader in milk production and has used the QMI method for a long time.
"We have found the QMI Aseptic Sampling method to be a safe, convenient, accurate and economical method of sampling milk tanker trucks" said Gilchrist. "The QMI system is exactly what this industry needs to sample without having to open the top hatch of the milk tanker."
The QMI method of sampling from the side or rear of a locked compartment on a milk tanker truck has several advantages. First, the QMI method allows for a more accurate and representative sample. The sample is also collected aseptically, meaning it reduces the chance of contamination of the milk by bacterial, chemical or environmental contaminants. Second, it helps with receiving bay efficiency by allowing samples to be taken before trucks enter the receiving bay. This benefit is a particular advantage to milk processors facing a continual issue of congestion and delay in milk unloading. Third, this method helps the industry comply with the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act by controlling access to the milk load. Finally, it improves sampling safety by allowing samples to be taken from the ground, meaning drivers and milk plant employees are no longer required to make the dangerous climb to the top of the milk tanker truck to collect samples.
Darrell Bigalke, President of QMI, stated, "This application of the QMI Aseptic Sampling method provides a significant benefit to the dairy industry. For the first time dairy processors and milk haulers will be able to collect clean, representative samples of their milk load, and do it efficiently and safely."
An FDA guided study was conducted, comparing the QMI method of sampling to the currently approved method of dip sampling. The FDA found that the data collected by the two methods were not statistically different and determined that the QMI Aseptic Sampling method is an equivalent and reasonable alternative to dip sampling. This is good news for the dairy industry.
Quality Management, Inc. (dba QMI®), based in Oakdale, MN has a 30-year history in the development and sales of high quality sampling products for dairy processing plants, dairy farms, pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology. QMI markets the QMI Aseptic Sampling System, the QMI Aseptic Transfer System, the QMI Safe-Septum and the QMI Composite (Farm) Sampling System. More than 1,000 dairy processing plants around the world routinely use QMI sampling devices.
426 Hayward Avenue North - Oakdale, MN 55128
Gwendolyn Raddatz - Vice President of Marketing
651-501-2337
gwen@qmisystems.com
