LuminUltra has entered into a distribution agreement with Kikkoman Biochemifa to broaden the availability of microbial monitoring technologies for food safety and hygiene across North America.

Under the terms of the partnership, LuminUltra will serve as an official distributor of Kikkoman’s food safety testing solutions. The collaboration brings together two organizations with long-standing expertise in microbial control. Kikkoman is recognized globally for its role as a food producer and supplier of food safety technologies, while LuminUltra has over 30 years of experience in developing microbial monitoring tools and workflows.

As part of the agreement, LuminUltra will offer two of Kikkoman’s core technologies:

• A3 Hygiene Monitoring System: This system measures adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), providing a more comprehensive assessment of surface cleanliness than conventional ATP-only tests. The expanded detection profile supports more informed sanitation decisions, especially in high-risk sectors, such as ready-to-eat foods.
• Easy Plate: This technology is a ready-to-use, self-contained culture-based solution for detecting pathogens and indicator organisms. Easy Plate eliminates the need for media preparation and spreading steps, reducing preparation time and simplifying workflows. When paired with the Colony Counting System, laboratories can further streamline operations by automating colony enumeration.

The partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship between LuminUltra and Kikkoman, built on shared values around improving microbial monitoring practices. It also reflects LuminUltra’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in the food and beverage sector, where microbiological management is critical and access to innovative tools has been limited.

Recent initiatives, such as LuminUltra’s acquisition of Impact Microbiology Services in 2023, underscore the company’s commitment to building a comprehensive portfolio tailored to the needs of food producers.

“This collaboration is intended to improve access to sensitive and reliable testing tools for the North American food and beverage industry,” says Pat Whalen, president and CEO of LuminUltra. “Producers are seeking better insights to support proactive safety measures, and this partnership helps address that need.”

“Kikkoman values partners with strong technical expertise and a customer-focused approach,” says Yoshiaki Asami, president of the Kikkoman Biochemifa Company. “As a food manufacturer, we understand the operational challenges faced by quality assurance teams. These tools have proven effective in Asia and Europe, and we are pleased to extend their reach into North America.”

Related: Food safety strategies for snack and bakery companies