RELIABLE SARS-COV-2

DETECTION FOR SAFETY

IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
RECOVER RENEW REINFORCE
Environmental surfaces

testing and sampling guide

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for outstanding hygiene and
safety standards in the food supply chain. SGS offers a comprehensive range of
services to the food industry to help it renew and reinforce confidence with its
suppliers and customers.

DETECTION STANDARD BASED ON WHO GUIDELINES SAFETY WARNING

Swabs and other materials used
Successful economic recovery requires risk mitigation against the threat of must always be considered
COVID-19. Our SGS Molecular Center of Excellence has developed virus potentially infectious. It is
detection testing for SARS-CoV-2 to help companies recover from the recommended that personal
negative impacts of the pandemic. protective equipment (PPE) is used
when carrying out the sampling.
Viruses remain viable for different periods of time, depending on the surface Disposable gloves and face masks
and the type of virus. At low temperatures, a virus can even remain viable for should always be worn and hands
up to 28 days. When renewing your hygiene monitoring plan, it is therefore must be sanitized after each step.
important to include targeted testing to ensure it is working effectively. Avoid the use of sprays as these can
create aerosols and interfere with the
Many businesses will need additional testing to help them understand and sampling. If it is suspected that
manage the risks associated with SARS-CoV-2. Our specialist testing solution accidental contamination or cross
will alert you to the potential presence of the virus in your premises. Using contamination of a sample has
this information, you can then quickly adjust and reinforce your protection occurred, discard all materials
measures to ensure your employees and customers remain safe. Swabbing including swabs, bags and PPE, and
for viruses can be performed on: restart the process from the
beginning.
Packaging: mitigate the risk of producing infected products through
packaging
Surfaces: the virus can stay viable on contaminated surfaces, such as door MATERIALS
handles, for up to five days The following materials are required
Manufacturing: the virus can be transmitted person-to-person and surface- for sampling of environmental
to-person during production surfaces:
Our SARS-CoV-2 specific detection method is based on the RT-PCR method, Two sterile swabs, with 2-3 mL
as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). It includes the of transport media
inactivation of the virus, isolating the RNA, and real-time RT-PCR. 10 cm x 10 cm nylon template
Plastic zip bags (preferably 95kPa
Transport Bags for UN3373
SAMPLING GUIDE Biological Substance Transport)
70% ethanol solution (v/v)
The correct sampling process for environmental specimens is crucial for Hand sanitizer
the quality of the test and to avoid contaminations. Sampling must accurately PPE, including laboratory coat;
represent your environmental condition. This guide will help you with the disposable, non-latex, powder-
correct sampling method, following recommendations from the WHO. free gloves; surgical face mask
Paper hand towels
Rigid box for shipping (a resistant
box of good quality; strong
enough to withstand shocks). If
dry ice is used, the outer box
should be Styrofoam with an
approximately 3.5 cm wall
thickness
Labels/stickers for Biological
Substance Category B and dry
ice (if used)
SAMPLING GUIDE
After washing your hands up to the
1 forearm for at least 20 seconds and
drying with disposable paper hand
towels, wear adequate PPE
(laboratory coat, disposable gloves,
surgical face mask)
Wipe the 10 cm x 10 cm nylon
2 template with 70% ethanol solution
(v/v) and place it on the desired
surface
Label each swab tube with the
3 adequate data (internal number, date
and time of sampling, company
name, technician that performed the
sampling, location and description,
site observations, etc.)
Remove the swab from the plastic
4 applicator tube, being careful not to
touch the shaft or the swab tip.
Ensure that the plastic tube is also
kept clean, sterile and handled as little
as possible. Gently press the swab tip
against the inner side of the tube to
remove the excess liquid, leaving the
swab moist but not saturated
Sample the entire selected surface, holding the
5
swab slightly angled, applying moderate pressure
and rotating it 180°
Return the swab to the plastic tube,
6 without touching the edges. Ensure the
tube is tightly closed and seal with
Parafilm, if needed
NOTE: It is recommended to have a
swab for control, aside from the first
sample. For the control swabbing
process, proceed the same way,
removing a second swab from the
tube, but without sampling any
surfaces. Return it to the tube and
proceed as the others.
Wrap the swab tubes in some paper
7 towels or other absorbent material
Place each swab tube in the leakproof
8
plastic zip bag and close well
Maintain the samples at the adequate
9 temperature (at 2-8°C for up to 72
hours after collection and if a delay in
extraction is expected, store
specimens at -70°C or lower)
When shipping, place the closed
10 plastic bags in a rigid shipping box,
with the adequate temperature
control (ice packs or dry ice)
Close the box and properly label it (UN3373,
11 Biological Substances, Category B).
Labels/stickers must be a minimum 5 x 5 cm, and
in the form of a square fixed at a 45° angle (in the
shape of a diamond). The sticker must guarantee
its durability during transport. If dry ice is used,
the class 9 label is mandatory with the net weight
of dry ice and the full name and address of the
shipper and of the consignee
 SHIPPING GUIDE COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES
How to ship environmental swabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing Alongside our SARS-CoV-2 testing
Pack and ship suspected and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 swabs assigned to solutions, we have also developed and
UN 3373 “Biological Substance, Category B”. They must be transported in updated auditing services to help
accordance with the current edition of the International Air Transport businesses to recover, renew and
Association (IATA) Packing Instruction 650 or CFR, Part 173.199. Personnel reinforce their existing safety programs.
must be trained to pack and ship according to the regulations and in a These include:
manner that corresponds to their function-specific responsibilities. COVID-19 Control Program
Hygiene Monitored Program
HACCP for Catering
Factory Restart Program
SIMPLIFIED PACKAGING METHOD
The packaging shall be of good quality, strong enough to withstand
1 the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport WHY SGS?
SGS is the world’s leading inspection,
Specimens need to be shipped in leakproof, triple packaging that verification, testing and certification
2 meets specific requirements. Triple packaging consists of:     company. SGS is recognized as the
A primary receptacle(s): the tube that is in direct contact with global benchmark for quality and
the specimen. Primary receptacles must not break or leak their integrity. With more than 94,000
contents employees, SGS operates a
A secondary packaging: (including cushioning and other
network of over 2,600 offices and
materials) that fully encapsulates the primary receptacle
laboratories around the world.
A rigid outer packaging that can endure a 1.2 meter fall without
breaking
SGS BENEFITS
The outer packaging must clearly show
3 “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B” with Global network        
the UN 3373 label. Labels/stickers must be a State of the art technology
minimum 5 x 5 cm, and in the form of a square
fixed at a 45° angle (in the shape of a diamond). Customized service
The sticker must guarantee its durability during Harmonized procedures
transport and be clearly visible
Data management and reporting
AS tnemeganaM puorG SGS fo kramedart deretsiger a si SGS – devreser sthgir llA – 0202 – AS tnemeganaM puorG SGS ©

The name, address, and telephone number of a person

4 knowledgeable about the shipment must also be included either
on a written document or on the outer packaging CONTACT US
food@sgs.com
NOTE: When dry ice is used, the packages need to follow IATA
Packing Instruction 954. They are marked and labeled in www.sgs.com/foodcovid19
compliance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations:
SGS Agriculture & Food
UN1845 dry ice
Content description
Full name and address of the shipper and of
the consignee
Net weight of dry ice in kg
Class 9 label (minimum size 100 x 100 mm)

UN3373, Biological Substances, Category B,

packed in, UN 1845, DRY ICE, CL9, Net
Weight ______Kg