Latin America’s First ISO 17025:2017 Accredited Laboratory Pioneers Cannabis Analysis for Food Pathogens

In a groundbreaking achievement for the cannabis industry in Latin America, the Laboratorio Instrumental de Alta Complejidad from Lasalle University in Colombia (https://laboratoriodeanalisis.lasalle.edu.co/) has attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation (21-LAB-030), marking a significant milestone in the field of cannabis analysis, particularly concerning food pathogens. This accreditation underscores the laboratory’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of cannabis and its products. Moreover, it facilitates the exportation of materials, ensuring compliance with international standards.

Analyzing Cannabis Samples for Food Pathogens

The laboratory’s ISO 17025:2017 accreditation signifies its competency in conducting real-time PCR assays tailored to the unique demands of the cannabis industry in Colombia & Latin America. The tests include the examination of a range of food pathogens in cannabis products, such as:

• E. coli
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Salmonella spp.

For non-sterile aerobic mesophilic products, molds and yeasts, bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, and Salmonella are typically examined. However, when the cannabis products are intended for oral, nasal, veterinary, or topical use, additional testing for STEC and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is needed.

Achieving this accreditation involves a comprehensive process facilitated by the Colombian Certification Body, ONAC. The steps also include validation of the analytical methods for real-time PCR analysis. Following SureFast® Microbiology qPCR kits were in the certification process included:

• SureFast® PREP Bacteria
• SureFast® Staphylococcus aureus PLUS
• SureFast® Foodborne Pathogens 4plex
• SureFast® Pseudomonas aeruginosa PLUS
• SureFast® STEC 4plex ONE
• SureFast® Enterobacteriaceae Screening PLUS

This achievement by this laboratory marks a significant step towards the responsible and regulated growth of the cannabis industry, ensuring the safety and quality of cannabis and its derivatives in a dynamic and evolving market.