Who is Kappa Laboratories?
Kappa Laboratories has been Inspected and previously Recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA Microbiology-#0093, Chemistry-#1282); EPA-NELAC Certified by the Florida Dept. of Health, Drinking Water including Microbiology, Pesticides; Environmental Certification as Basic Environmental Laboratory (DOH #E86515 and #E86942); Registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA-#1039389) and is an FDA Accepted Laboratory for Import Testing. Kappa Laboratories is currently a Contract Laboratory to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia; Vessel Sanitation Program. Contract Laboratory, U.S. Coast Guard for Alaskan Vessel Discharge Program.
Kappa Laboratories has been Inspected and previously Recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA Microbiology-#0093, Chemistry-#1282); EPA-NELAC Certified by the Florida Dept. of Health, Drinking Water including Microbiology, Pesticides; Environmental Certification as Basic Environmental Laboratory (DOH #E86515 and #E86942); Registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA-#1039389) and is an FDA Accepted Laboratory for Import Testing. Kappa Laboratories is currently a Contract Laboratory to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia; Vessel Sanitation Program. Contract Laboratory, U.S. Coast Guard for Alaskan Vessel Discharge Program.
What is the Kappa HACCP System?
The Kappa Laboratories HACCP System is a check system of Microbial surface analysis for common bacterial markers as well as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. It is an electronically ordered kit which arrives by mail. Ordering begins with the sampling points listed on a Legal Chain of Custody. This Chain of Custody is used during the sampling procedures and comes along with complete sampling supplies including TransSwab and HydraSponge samplers for each test point. After testing a return label is affixed to the mailing container and the lab will receive the samples the next day.
Upon receipt of the samples at the laboratory, the receipt time and date are stamped and the samples are tracked through the analytical process. At any point a member may access his or her account and find the status of the analysis posted in real time at the members page. As the analysis of the test swabs and sponges proceeds, the results are recorded numerically in counts per swab along with a Pass or Excessive Level Comment. The laboratory will include any comments necessary to interpret the results. It's not a test it is a complete validation of good results and a solution for any problems.
Q. Do I need to use all the materials (swabs & sponges) as soon as I receive them?The Kappa Laboratories HACCP System is a check system of Microbial surface analysis for common bacterial markers as well as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. It is an electronically ordered kit which arrives by mail. Ordering begins with the sampling points listed on a Legal Chain of Custody. This Chain of Custody is used during the sampling procedures and comes along with complete sampling supplies including TransSwab and HydraSponge samplers for each test point. After testing a return label is affixed to the mailing container and the lab will receive the samples the next day.
Upon receipt of the samples at the laboratory, the receipt time and date are stamped and the samples are tracked through the analytical process. At any point a member may access his or her account and find the status of the analysis posted in real time at the members page. As the analysis of the test swabs and sponges proceeds, the results are recorded numerically in counts per swab along with a Pass or Excessive Level Comment. The laboratory will include any comments necessary to interpret the results. It's not a test it is a complete validation of good results and a solution for any problems.
A. No, there is an expiry date on each item you receive so you can retain the supplies you receive for future submission.
Q. Once I have taken the samples how quickly do they need to be returned to the laboratory?
A. The swab/sponge samples should be returned to the same box that you received them in and returned via mail the same day or the following day.
Q. Do I need to purchase postage for the return?
A. No, there will be a return postage tape with the correct postage included in the box you receive. Place it over the old postage sticker on the outside of the box and
add the Kappa Laboratories, Inc. return address label which is also included in the box.
Q How often do I need to take the samples to satisfy the HACCP requirements for my facility?
A. The number of Critical Control Points (CCP’s) and the scope of your operation will determine adequate frequency of sampling. We may assist you in review of your
HACCP Program design and implementation. Please Contact us on the Website Project Manager Feedback.
Q. How much surface area can be tested with a swab?
A. A swab can be used on a flat surface, but it is especially recommended to be used in and around drains, hoses and other hard to reach surface areas.
The sponge is recommended for use on table tops, cutting boards and other broad surface areas.
Q. How do I track The HACCP Kit being ordered, receipt of the kit, Testing and Analysis through the laboratory? Can I check my results?
A. The Superior Support Kappa offers to member's:
Kappa Laboratories offers HACCP Theory and Forms which may help support understanding and implementation of a strong HACCP Program. The Archival of results is invaluable in showing what has been performed historically and what points need to be addressed both immediately and as follow-up over time. Members will able to access their personal HACCP Control Page and be in control of remote locations and have all material ready for inspection. The results are EXCEL compatable and provide a direct means of statistical analysis and PowerPoint presentation. The HACCP System is a highly controlled, highly documented system of analysis with all hold times and ordering, shipping, sampling and analytical times and dates. Members are in complete control with full access to laboratory staff and support using a toll free number.
What levels of Membership does Kappa offer?Kappa Laboratories offers HACCP Theory and Forms which may help support understanding and implementation of a strong HACCP Program. The Archival of results is invaluable in showing what has been performed historically and what points need to be addressed both immediately and as follow-up over time. Members will able to access their personal HACCP Control Page and be in control of remote locations and have all material ready for inspection. The results are EXCEL compatable and provide a direct means of statistical analysis and PowerPoint presentation. The HACCP System is a highly controlled, highly documented system of analysis with all hold times and ordering, shipping, sampling and analytical times and dates. Members are in complete control with full access to laboratory staff and support using a toll free number.
Member's Only have access to the electronic ordering and tracking system. Members are able to access archived results and download them in Excel format for statistical analysis or PowerPoint format for presentation. Members are in control of ordering specific testing for targeted locations, tracking testing progress in real time and receive legal Chain of Custody documented results of the entire process. Satellite and remote locations are now transparent and in control. Processing plants and production facilities have access to services no matter how remote. An extremely cost efficient and Regulatory compliant advantage in Quality Assurance which is your Insurance of a quality product.
What does Corporate Membership provide?Corporate Members have the ability to program a custom front end to the Kappa System. This gives a level of implementation that provides an easy interface in multiple off-site or satellite locations. Multiple accounts and custom menu editing gives an extremely fluent and easy to implement and manage Laboratory based Quality System. Kappa Laboratories maintains ISO 17025 certification at both laboratory locations and will interface an ISO compliant corporate entity. Kappa Laboratories supplies custom training and remediation videos which are able to be distributed throughout the Enterprise. These Training Videos will be followed with testing and Training Validation Records appropriate to the training subject and the corporate client. Cost Effectiveness, Custom Programming, Custom Training and Training Validation as well as immediate Out of Specification (OOS) or Consumer Complaint response followed by Corrective Action Procedures makes the Corporate Membership a strategic necessity for all Regulatory Compliant Corporations.
Can I test my surfaces both large and small, hard to reach areas?Kappa Laboratories utilizes and the client may specify either the Hydra Sponge with Transport Media or the TransSwab System with Transport Media. The small sterile sponge is supplied with sterile gloves. The sponge is removed and an area of approximately 4 feet by 4 feet is rubbbed firmly over the surface several times. This will remove bacteria from the surface onto the sponge surface. The Transport Media keeps the bacteria viable during transport to the laboratory. The TransSwab uses a cotton tipped swab in the same way to pick up bacteria which may be present on the test surface. The TransSwab is perfect to get into the tight and narrow spaces which the sponge is too large for. The Transport Media keeps the bacteria viable during transport to the laboratory. See the Surface Analysis video on the front page of the HACCP site.
How can I help control my Critical Control Points?The Kappa HACCP Store has available pre-printed Temperature, both freezer and refrigerated controls charts for recording temperatures, times, dates and initials. Also available are calibrated thermometers, both probe and infra red-probe instruments. Also available are pH charts for recording and documenting pH measurements along with portable pH meters with all three calibration buffers in a portable kit, ready for the plant or the field. The HACCP Store has Microbial indicating swabs for the visual immediate detection of Coliform, Listeria bacteria and Protein detection for monitoring cleaning procedures. These visual indicating swabs will help support an on-going program to maintain a pathogen free environment. The HACCP Store further supports HACCP Plan Revue as well as HACCP Plan Development and Implementation. The Kappa System supports an on-going, proactive HACCP System.
Can I test my final product or raw materials for Microbial or Chemical analysis?
A complete Chain of Custody is available for the client to fill out and submit virtually any test sample with the legal Chain of Custody submittal form. Members will have the same electronic submittal and tracking advantages for sample submittal. The tests available can be reviewed at the website test section, or call for immediate technical assistance which is also available by e-mail. Kappa Laboratories will satisfy all of your analytical requirements for Regulatory as well as Industry.
How do I handle Out of Specification (OOS) Results and Consumer Complaints?Member's have a HACCP Theory and HACCP Forms section available to them. Theory will help guide members in identifying and controlling HACCP points. There is even a pre-written scenario for handling Out of Specification (OOS) results due to sanitization. In the Forms section, Out of Specification forms are provided and Corrective Action Response Forms (CAR's) are located in the Forms Section for members. Kappa Laboratories has extensive experience in Regulatory and Legal testing as well as administering to consumer complaints and industry recall questions. Please inquire for the depth of support and discover a confidence in handling non-routine product situations.
