Hygiena Wins Global Awards for Dual-Pathogen PCR Test

Hygiena has received two international innovation awards for its foodproof Salmonella plus Cronobacter Detection LyoKit, a multiplex PCR test designed to simultaneously detect two high-risk pathogens linked to infant formula, as global health authorities continue to stress the importance of stronger disease prevention and diagnostics across the food and health sectors.

The company announced that the product was recognized with the IDF Innovation Award 2025 from the International Dairy Federation and the Food Innovation Award presented at the Food Tech Summit. The recognition comes as public health institutions, including the World Health Organization, emphasize the role of prevention, monitoring and early detection in reducing disease burden and antimicrobial resistance worldwide.

“At Hygiena we are deeply committed to delivering solutions that not only meet, but exceed industry expectations,” said Amanda Manolis, Vice President of Global Marketing, Product Management, and Scientific Affairs, Hygiena. She said the test offers food manufacturers a faster and more efficient tool to support regulatory compliance and consumer protection, while reinforcing the company’s focus on diagnostic innovation.

The foodproof Salmonella plus Cronobacter Detection LyoKit is the first multiplex real-time PCR method validated under ISO 16140-2 for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella and Cronobacter. Both pathogens are considered critical risks in powdered infant formula, where contamination can have severe consequences for vulnerable populations. The ISO validation confirms consistent performance across a wide range of matrices, including powdered infant formula with and without probiotics, raw ingredients used in production and environmental samples collected in manufacturing facilities.

Before the introduction of this test, laboratories and food producers typically needed to conduct separate analyses for each pathogen. That approach increased operational costs, extended turnaround times and required additional resources. Hygiena said the LyoKit consolidates testing into a single workflow and delivers results in under 20 hours, allowing manufacturers to accelerate decision-making and respond more quickly to potential food safety issues.

The awards also reflect a broader industry shift toward integrated diagnostics that support prevention rather than reaction. According to the WHO, expanding the use of vaccines and preventive tools could reduce global antibiotic consumption by as much as 22%, or 2.5 billion defined daily doses annually. While Hygiena’s test is not a vaccine, its focus on early detection aligns with the same objective of reducing downstream health impacts and the need for antimicrobial treatment.

The WHO recently identified 17 endemic pathogens as global priorities for vaccine development, citing disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk and socioeconomic impact. The list includes non-typhoidal Salmonella, one of the pathogens targeted by Hygiena’s award-winning test, highlighting the continued relevance of foodborne pathogens within global health strategies. The WHO initiative supports Immunization Agenda 2030, which aims to improve equitable access to prevention tools and strengthen health systems worldwide.

The WHO has stated that better monitoring and prevention across food systems can play a role in limiting the spread of resistant pathogens. In this context, diagnostic tools that shorten response times and improve accuracy are increasingly viewed as part of a larger public health infrastructure.

Adriana Paes, Marketing Manager, Hygiena, said the Food Tech Summit award underscores the impact of aligning technology development with shared industry goals. She said the company’s One Health Diagnostics approach guides product development by recognizing the link between human health, animal health and environmental conditions.

Hygiena, headquartered in Camarillo, California, operates globally with offices and application centers across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, and works with more than 180 distributors in over 100 countries. By combining diagnostic development with participation in international standard-setting bodies, the company aims to position itself as a long-term contributor to global food safety and public health objectives.

As food systems become more complex and globalized, the recognition of Hygiena’s dual-pathogen PCR test highlights how diagnostic innovation is increasingly intersecting with public health priorities, regulatory expectations and efforts to address antimicrobial resistance through prevention and early detection.