LIMITATION OF WARRANTIES / LIMITED REMEDY
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN A LIMITED WARRANTY SECTION OF INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT PACKAGING, 3M DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. If any 3M Food Safety
Product is defective, 3M or its authorized distributor will, at its option, replace or refund the purchase price of the product. These are your exclusive
remedies. You must promptly notify 3M within sixty days of discovery of any suspected defects in a product and return it to 3M. Please call Customer
Service (1-800-328-1671 in the U.S.) or your official 3M Food Safety representative for a Returned Goods Authorization.
LIMITATION OF 3M LIABILITY
3M WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS. In no event shall 3M's liability under any legal theory exceed the purchase price of the product
alleged to be defective.
STORAGE
Store unopened 3M Petrifilm RAC Plate pouches refrigerated or frozen (-20 to 8°C / -4 to 46°F). Just prior to use, allow unopened pouches to come to
room temperature before opening (20-25°C / <60% RH). Return unused 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates to pouch. Seal by folding the end of the pouch over
and applying adhesive tape. To prevent exposure to moisture, do not refrigerate opened pouches. Store resealed pouches in a cool dry place for
no longer than one month. It is recommended that resealed pouches of 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates be stored in a freezer (see below) if the laboratory
temperature exceeds 25°C (77°F) and/or the laboratory is located in a region where the relative humidity exceeds 50% (with the exception of air-
conditioned premises).
To store opened pouches in a freezer, place 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates in a sealable container. To remove frozen 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates for use, open
the container, remove the plates that are needed and immediately return remaining plates to the freezer in the sealed container. 3M Petrifilm RAC
Plates should not be used past their expiration date. The freezer that is used for open pouch storage must not have an automatic defrost cycle as this
would repeatedly expose the plates to moisture which can damage the plates.
Do not use 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates that show discoloration. Expiration date and lot number are noted on each package of 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates.
The lot number is also noted on individual 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates
DISPOSAL
After use, 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates may contain microorganisms that may be a potential biohazard. Follow current local, regional, national and industry
standards for disposal.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Follow all instructions carefully. Failure to do so may lead to inaccurate results.
Sample Preparation
1. Use appropriate sterile diluents:
Butterfields phosphate buffer, 0.1% peptone water, peptone salt diluent, buffered peptone water, saline solution (0.85-0.90%), bisulfite-free
letheen broth or distilled water. See section "Specific Instructions for Validated Methods" for specific requirements.
Do not use diluents containing citrate, bisulfite or thiosulfate with 3M Petrifilm RAC plates; they can inhibit growth. If citrate buffer is
indicated in the standard procedure, substitute with one of the buffers listed above, warmed to 40-45°C (104-113°F).
2. Blend or homogenize sample per standard.
3. For optimal growth and recovery of microorganisms in acidic products (<pH 5), adjust the pH of the sample suspension to a pH greater than pH 5.
For acidic products, adjust the pH with 1N NaOH.
Plating
1. Place the 3M Petrifilm RAC Plate on a flat, level surface.
2. Lift the top film and with the pipette perpendicular dispense 1 mL of sample suspension onto the center of bottom film.
3. Roll the top film down onto the sample to prevent trapping bubbles.
4. Place the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Flat Spreader (6425) on the center of the 3M Petrifilm RAC Plate. Press on the center of the spreader to distribute the
sample evenly. Spread the inoculum over the entire 3M Petrifilm RAC Plate growth area before the gel is formed. Do not slide the spreader across
the film.
5. Remove the 3M Petrifilm Flat Spreader and leave the 3M Petrifilm RAC Plate undisturbed for at least one minute to permit the gel to form.
Incubation
Incubate 3M Petrifilm RAC Plates in a horizontal position with the clear side up in stacks of no more than 40*. Several incubation times and
temperatures can be used depending on current local reference methods, some of which are listed in the Specific Instructions section.
*For Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products
maximum stack height is 20.
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