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Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced Thermo Scientific InstaFlux, an integrated media-on-demand enrichment workflow aiming to help food microbiology laboratories simplify media preparation, improve productivity and enhance sample traceability.

The launch comes as food testing laboratories face growing pressure to process more samples, meet faster turnaround expectations and maintain consistent quality while managing staff constraints, sustainability goals and complex workflows.

According to Thermo Fisher, the InstaFlux workflow allows laboratories to prepare media on demand in less than 30 minutes, supporting a simplified process to sample incubation.

The company said its new solution can help reduce media prep labour by more than 80%, support cost savings of over 35%, and lower water and energy use by up to 90%, depending on laboratory workflow and operating conditions.

Laboratories can prepare only the media they need when they need it using the new solution, rather than preparing and storing large batches. This sets the process apart from traditional batch-based media preparation, which often requires advanced planning, autoclaving, bottle handling and media storage.

The technology is designed to boost workflow efficiency by helping reduce hands-on media preparation steps while supporting barcode-driven workflows, digital audit trails and LIMS-ready data integration when preparing food samples.

It supports gravimetric dispensing across 10-125g workflows in accordance with ISO 11133, ISO 6887-1 and ISO 7218, when validated by the laboratory.

InstaFlux is designed for high- and mid-throughput food microbiology labs, including contract testing laboratories and food manufacturers seeking to improve throughput, standardise workflows across sites and reduce operational burden.

Thermo Fisher Scientific noted its particular relevance for laboratories using buffered peptone water in routine enrichment workflows, where staffing, space, preparation time, traceability and waste can create constraints.

Claribel Purcell, interim president of the microbiology business at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “As food testing demands continue to grow, laboratories need solutions that help them do more with the resources they have”.

“Thermo Scientific InstaFlux reflects our commitment to helping customers modernise enrichment workflows through a simpler, on-demand approach that supports productivity, traceability and long-term operational sustainability.”