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Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a new all-in-one quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based solution for rapid beverage quality testing, developed in collaboration with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP).

Now part of the Thermo Scientific SureTect PCR System, the new solution offers accurate detection of spoilage organisms earlier in the production process, with wide applicability across the beverage testing industry.

Product recalls due to microbial spoilage continue to pose significant risks to beverage manufacturers, impacting quality, brand reputation and revenue.

Thermo Fisher pointed out that traditional contamination testing methods can take days to deliver results, and may miss certain problematic microorganisms. This puts companies at risk of costly recalls and impacts consumer trust.

The Thermo Scientific SureTect Beverage Spoilage Multiplex qPCR Assay detects over 100 strains of the most relevant spoilage microorganisms for beverages. These include preservative-resistant yeasts, moulds, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria in a single PCR reaction – something the technology provider claims is a market-first.

According to Thermo Fisher, this high-throughput approach helps reduce testing time by up to 50% compared to traditional culture testing methods. This can provide greater confidence for manufacturers when releasing batches while improving efficiency within the quality control process.

Chris Armstrong, president of microbiology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “Product recalls don’t just impact the consumer – brands face both financial and reputational harm, making the true cost of a recall much more expensive than the product lost”.

“This qPCR-based assay is part of Thermo Fisher's commitment to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, and helps brands avoid risk, protect their customers and keep their products on shelves by providing a faster and more accurate result on their batch tests.”

Speed and confidence in quality testing is becoming more critical for both large beverage groups and smaller brands, particularly around limited-edition and seasonal offerings.

Raul Mesa, senior manager QESH at CCEP, said: “Staying ahead of spoilage is key for us. Working with Thermo Fisher lets us use the best science to make sure every bottle that reaches a customer meets our high standards. High-throughput, reliable and secure testing solutions are essential as we look to always ensure the perfect product for our consumers.”