Phytocontrol COFRAC-accredited for Norovirus (GI, GII) and hepatitis A (HAV)

As part of its COFRAC flexible scope, Phytocontrol is accredited for Norovirus (GI, GII) and hepatitis A (HAV)!

The laboratory is now able to carry out, under COFRAC accreditation, testing for Norovirus GI, GII and hepatitis A virus (HAV) and to detect these parameters in the following matrices: frozen and fresh fruit, vegetables, bivalve molluscs, and food surface swab samples.

Norovirus and hepatitis A are the main enteroviruses responsible for collective foodborne illness outbreaks. Transmission routes are determined by the virus’s exceptional resistance and its high concentration in stools. The main route of transmission is essentially oral. A particular risk is associated with the consumption of shellfish and contaminated raw vegetables.

Testing should mainly be carried out on the following foods:
• First, those that may be contaminated during production: crops grown by irrigation (fruit) or immersion (bivalve molluscs), drinking water or distributed water. The majority of foodborne norovirus outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of shellfish contaminated by accidental discharges of wastewater or distribution network water following network malfunctions.

This new success allows Phytocontrol to strengthen its pool of COFRAC accreditations for food analysis (accreditation No. 1-1904, scope available at www.cofrac.fr).

For any technical, pricing and/or regulatory information, please contact us.