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Building efficiencies to help combat labour shortages.

Image of workers in a food manufacturing facility

As the economy works to bounce back from the effects of an ongoing pandemic, some businesses are struggling to staff up. Across the country, many store hours are limited, or service is slow. “Now hiring” signs decorate business windows, while other storefronts remain closed indefinitely as they search for willing workers.  

This labour shortage seems to be hitting all industries, including food manufacturing. If your lab or facility is short-staffed, building process efficiencies may be a critical part of keeping up with demand. Two innovations from 3M might help.  

Save time in your lab.  

It is a crucial time to find ways to drive efficiency without compromising accuracy of results. Gain the ability to get results in 4-6 seconds (that's up to 900 plates per hour) by combining the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Reader Advanced (PPRA) which automates 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate enumeration through fixed artificial intelligence (AI) networks. The product also serves up accurate colony counting with proactive, easy-to-use software that simplifies results storage and data analytics, plus produces automated data and reports. 

If you are working with a smaller staff, take advantage of this food testing hardware and software that utilizes technology to help streamline your operation and increase your lab’s productivity. But don’t take it from us; here is what one lab supervisor said about the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Reader Advanced:  

“The PPRA has helped our lab tremendously. We have a high volume of Rapid Aerobic Count Petrifilm and the PPRA allows us to allocate one analyst to record the data from the film. The process previously required two analysts to spend two plus hours enumerating the RAC film, but now one analyst can complete the task in less than an hour with the PPRA…The flexibility that the PPRA offers has been very beneficial to this lab over the past eight months. During these times where staffing is a challenge, having the ability to streamline a process is incredibly valuable.” 

Jon Hammond, Lab Supervisor at Midwest Labs 

Simplify your workflow.  

Right now, finding ways to work more efficiently might help you keep up with your facility’s workload. Gain confidence in your pathogen testing process with the simplified, advanced technology of the 3M™ Molecular Detection System

3M offers a single post-enrichment protocol for all pathogens with ready-to-use reagents and same-day or next-day results. You can even test multiple pathogens simultaneously, helping you save time and do more with the employees you have.  

Innovations that support productivity.  

And right now, depending on your eligibility, you may be able to take advantage of special starter kit offers for the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plate Reader Advanced* and the 3M™ Molecular Detection System**, available through the end of March (conditions apply).  

 

*Subject to eligibility requirements. Discount offer is up to a maximum of 25% and depends on type of starter kit selected. The up to 25% discount describes the discount on the total starter kit product bundle. Promotion applies to U.S. and Canada-based customers and can only be shipped to U.S. and Canada locations. 3M will determine your eligibility. This promotion is valid January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022. Please note that 3M technical personnel must be onsite for initial installation and product training. 3M terms and conditions of sale apply.3M reserves the right to discontinue or change this offer at any time without notice. 

**Subject to eligibility requirements. Discount offer is up to a maximum of 30% and depends on type of starter kit selected. The up to 30% discount describes the discount on the total starter kit product bundle. Promotion applies to U.S. and Canada-based customers and can only be shipped to U.S. and Canada locations. This promotion is valid January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. Please note that 3M technical personnel must be onsite for initial installation and product training. 3M terms and conditions of sale apply. 3M reserves the right to discontinue or change this offer at any time without notice. 

About the Author

[enBio=A microbiologist by trade, Ana Maria has over 12 years of experience working in the food industry, including dairy products, ice cream, water, condiment and dressing products. Her diverse expertise ranges from quality assurance, quality control, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), good laboratory practices (GLPs), hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system, and research and development. She’s also an internal auditor of ISO9001 and SQF practitioner. ],[enJob=Professional Services Representative, Food Safety Division, 3M Canada],[frBio=Microbiologiste de profession, Ana Maria possède 12 années d’expérience au sein de l’industrie alimentaire, y compris dans les domaines des produits laitiers, de la crème glacée, de l’eau, des condiments et des pansements. Sa vaste expertise inclut l’assurance de la qualité, le contrôle de la qualité, les bonnes pratiques de fabrication, les bonnes pratiques de laboratoire, l’analyse des risques aux points critiques (HACCP) et la recherche et le développement. Elle est également vérificatrice interne relativement à la norme ISO 9001 et praticienne SQF. Ana Maria joue un rôle actif au sein de la communauté de la microbiologie à titre de membre de l’AMQ (Association des microbiologistes du Québec).],[frJob=Représentante des Services professionnels, Division des produits de sécurité alimentaire, Compagnie 3M Canada]

Profile Photo of Ana Maria Lozano