Evaluation of the assurance GDS for E. coli O157:H7 method and assurance GDS for shigatoxin genes method in selected foods: collaborative study

A multilaboratory collaborative study was conducted to compare the Assurance GDS for E. coli 0157:H7 method and the reference culture methods for the detection of E. coli 0157:H7 in orange juice, raw ground beef, and fresh lettuce. A separate companion assay, the Assurance GDS for Shigatoxin Genes method was also evaluated with the same test portions. Fifteen laboratories participated in the study. A Chi square analysis of each of the 3 food types at the high, low, and uninoculated control levels was performed. For all foods, the Assurance GDS for E. coli O157:H7 method and the Assurance GDS for Shigatoxin Genes method were equivalent to or better than the reference methods.