In the world of food safety, especially within the dairy industry, there’s zero margin for error when it comes to antibiotic residues. Manual microbial testing is still common, but it’s time-consuming, subjective, and prone to interpretation errors—especially when results hinge on detecting color changes that differ from person to person.
Enter COMET8—a revolutionary solution that automates, standardizes, and digitizes antibiotic testing in milk and other food matrices. Now available in Australia via Vendart, COMET8, used with Eclipse Farm 3G and Explorer 2.0 test kits, delivers objective, reproducible, and traceable results across multiple sample types—without needing trained lab technicians.
Common Challenges in Antibiotic Residue Testing
Let’s face it—manual microbial residue tests come with several issues:
Inconsistent interpretation of color changes by different readers
Timing issues—tests are often read too early or too late
Staff dependency—requires well-trained personnel, which isn’t always available
Delayed reporting—especially when tests are run in one location and decisions made in another
COMET8 solves these pain points with automation, objectivity, and digital connectivity.
What Is COMET8?
COMET8 is an automated, multi-sample reading device designed to interpret microbial inhibition tests for detecting more than 50 antibiotic residues in milk and other food products. It supports simultaneous testing of 8 samples, delivering:
Real-time analysis
Optimal timing of result capture
Automatic color interpretation
Immediate data transmission and archiving
The system’s advanced optics and color analysis algorithms eliminate human subjectivity and ensure reproducible, audit-ready results every time.
How It Works
COMET8 is used in conjunction with Eclipse Farm 3G or Explorer 2.0 kits, which are microbial growth inhibition assays based on Geobacillus stearothermophilus.
Prepare the test tubes by adding the sample (milk, meat extract, egg, or feed).
Insert up to 8 tubes into COMET8.
The system incubates and monitors bacterial growth.
If no antibiotics are present: the bacteria acidify the medium and the color changes from blue to yellow.
If antibiotics are present: growth is inhibited and the medium stays blue.
COMET8 reads and logs the result at the precise moment of inhibition, avoiding premature or delayed readings.
The system’s ability to identify intermediate color results ensures more accurate readings than any visual assessment.
Key Features of COMET8
| Feature |
Benefit |
| 8-Sample Capacity |
Batch test multiple samples simultaneously |
| Automatic Incubation & Reading |
No need to manually monitor timing |
| Color Interpretation |
Objective detection with no human bias |
| Digital Result Delivery |
Sends results in real-time via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 4G |
| Traceable Records |
Ensures compliance with food safety standards |
| Multi-Matrix Compatible |
Works with milk, meat, eggs, kidneys, and feed |
Applications Across the Dairy & Food Chain
COMET8 is highly adaptable and supports food safety workflows in various environments:
On the Farm
Farmers can test milk directly at the source before dispatch
Helps prevent contaminated batches from entering the supply chain
Milk Collection Trucks
Screening during milk collection routes ensures only compliant milk is transported
Processing Plants
Quality control teams can perform high-throughput testing with minimal labor
Reduces risk of non-compliant batches reaching the market
Veterinary & Food Safety Labs
Simplifies routine screening of tissues (kidneys, meat) and feed samples
Ideal for government agencies monitoring residue compliance
The Value of Objectivity in Microbial Testing
One of the greatest advantages of COMET8 is its ability to eliminate subjective interpretation. Traditional visual assays are highly user-dependent—one technician might consider a tube yellow, while another sees it as borderline blue.
With COMET8:
Every sample is interpreted the same way
The system records the result at the optimal inhibition point, avoiding premature or late readings
All results are stored in a traceable digital format, making audits and investigations easier
Stay Compliant with International Standards
COMET8 aligns with:
European MRLs for antibiotic residues
Codex Alimentarius guidelines
FSANZ safety limits (Australia)
Its ability to objectively detect trace-level antibiotic residues helps ensure that food producers meet stringent compliance requirements with confidence.
Why Choose COMET8 from Vendart?
Vendart, a trusted Australian distributor of diagnostic and laboratory solutions, offers:
Local technical support and training
Rapid shipping and reliable stock availability
Assistance with system setup, validation, and maintenance
Access to test kits (Eclipse Farm 3G and Explorer 2.0) and accessories
With Vendart, you get more than just a device—you gain a partner committed to improving your food safety processes.
COMET8 is more than just a test reader—it’s a data-driven food safety solution
By automating the most sensitive parts of antibiotic residue screening—timing, interpretation, and result sharing—it transforms how dairy farms, processors, and regulators ensure compliance.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start trusting your results, COMET8 is your next step toward standardized, objective, and efficient testing.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@vendart.com.au
