Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled a new integrated media preparation and sample enrichment workflow designed to help food microbiology laboratories improve productivity, simplify pathogen testing and strengthen sample traceability.

The new Thermo Scientific InstaFlux workflow has been developed to address growing pressures on food testing laboratories, which are being asked to process increasing numbers of samples while maintaining high standards of accuracy, traceability and regulatory compliance.

Used in foodborne pathogen and environmental testing, the system enables laboratories to prepare enrichment media on demand in less than 30 minutes, reducing the need for traditional batch-based media preparation involving autoclaving, bottle handling and media storage.

According to Thermo Fisher Scientific, laboratories using the workflow could reduce media preparation labour by more than 80%, achieve workflow cost savings of more than 35% and cut water and energy consumption by up to 90%, depending on laboratory configuration and operating conditions.

The company says the approach is intended to help both food manufacturers and contract testing laboratories respond more efficiently to routine testing for pathogens including Salmonella and Listeria, while supporting more consistent workflows and reducing operational bottlenecks.

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

“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.”

Unlike conventional media preparation methods, which require laboratories to prepare and store large batches of enrichment media in advance, the InstaFlux workflow enables media to be produced only when required. Thermo Fisher says this not only reduces manual handling and preparation time but also improves operational flexibility in busy laboratory environments.

The workflow combines concentrated sterile media, sterile water supply, automated gravimetric dispensing and digital traceability into a single integrated process. Barcode-driven workflows and digital audit trails are designed to support sample traceability, while LIMS-ready data integration aims to simplify record keeping and quality management.

Thermo Fisher says the system supports gravimetric dispensing across sample sizes from 10 g to 125 g in validated workflows in accordance with ISO 11133, ISO 6887-1 and ISO 7218, although laboratories remain responsible for validating their own testing procedures.

The launch reflects wider trends across the food industry, where manufacturers are investing in laboratory automation and digital technologies to increase throughput, address skills shortages and strengthen confidence in food safety programmes. As testing volumes continue to rise and regulatory expectations evolve, laboratories are increasingly looking for solutions that reduce manual processes while maintaining consistent, repeatable results.

Designed for high- and mid-throughput food microbiology laboratories, the InstaFlux workflow is particularly suited to facilities routinely using buffered peptone water during pathogen enrichment, where preparation time, laboratory space, staffing and waste management can all impact operational efficiency.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is demonstrating the new workflow at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference, taking place from 26–29 July 2026.