Dive Brief:

• A new test strip pioneered by scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service can detect botulism in 20 minutes or less. 
• The strip requires only a small prepared sample, shows results on a color display, and first into a holder, not unlike an at-home pregnancy test.
• On the strip are laboratory built monoclonal antibody proteins that bind only to A- or B-type botulinum toxins, which account for over 80% of U.S. foodborne botulism.

Dive Insight:

This test is significant because of how quickly it can produce results, particularly with preliminary screenings during emergencies like bioterrorism threats and botulism outbreaks where the initial food is undetermined. It is also the first to be able to detect and differentiate both A and B serotypes.