Salt Lake City, UT - Cyclopss Corp. announced it has signed two agreements to pilot test its Eco-Pure Food Safety System(1) with a New York-based all natural chicken processor, Murray's Chickens Inc., and, New York-based prepared foods company, Gold Farm Natural Foods Inc.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service ("FSIS"), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"), requires the in-plant pilot testing if the chicken processors are to use an ozone technology.
These pilot tests follow President Clinton's directive to food processors to better ensure the end customer that every step is being taken to provide a safer product. The pilot tests demonstrate that Murray's Chickens and Gold Farm Natural Foods is leading the industry in going the extra mile to investigate new, more natural technologies now being made available to the food processing industry.
Ozone is generated by nature when lightning strikes and sends electrical charges through the air; and leaves the air smelling fresh. The same effect can be produced in controlled environments and can rid foods of microorganisms such as E.coli 0157, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and the like.
In fact, ozone kills E.coli more than 3,000 times faster than does chlorine and unlike, chlorine, it leaves no chemical residue behind, making it a more natural, consumer-friendly answer to food safety issues. After ozone is introduced to food, it quickly reverts back to its close cousin, oxygen.
The pilot tests will occur simultaneously in Murray's Chickens' South Fallsburg, N.Y. plant and in Gold Farm Natural Foods' co-packers plant in Troy, N.Y.
The initial pilot tests begin in Cyclopss' Salt Lake City laboratory facility. Then, the tests progress to an in-plant phase once FSIS approves Cyclopss-submitted detailed protocols. All testing is expected to take three months.
Once concluded, the data (including an independent lab's analysis of more than 600 samples) will be sent to the USDA (FSIS) as part of the protocols submitted for approval prior to a full- scale installation at the plant locations. Test chickens will be pulled off the production line and will be used for test purposes only. Test chickens will not be sold.
Bill Stoddard, Cyclopss' president, said, "We applaud the USDA and FSIS and their directives; it ensures that all food processors use the most sound practices when implementing a new technology."
Stoddard continued, "We also applaud Murray's Chickens and Gold Farm Natural Foods for taking the initiative here. Most companies will not come to the forefront of this issue unless they are going through a recall. Murray's and Gold Farm are on the cutting edge of this new, more consumer-friendly technology and we are impressed with their willingness to address it head-on."
Steve Gold, president, Murray's Chicken Inc., said, "We are encouraged by President Clinton's approach to food safety. In our never ending search to bring the finest healthful food to the family table, we are proud to be part of this innovative pilot test that may change the standard of food safety as we know it today.
"Our research has shown that the consumer not only worries about what is being fed to the chicken they eat, but also about E.coli and Salmonella. The Eco-Pure Food Safety System we will be testing will provide the piece of mind to the consumer that they are serving their families not only the healthiest product available, but also the safest."
New York State Electric & Gas Corp. (NYSEG), the electric utility that serves Murray's Chickens, will finance a portion of the tests. Murray's Chickens lies within NYSEG's Economic Energy Zone, a dynamic 44-county business region in Upstate New York. Murray's Chickens joins hundreds of companies that can point to improvements in operational efficiency, better environmental compliance and improved business performance thanks to NYSEG's R & D- related services.
Cyclopss Corp. is one of the nation's leading developers of ozone applications and technology for industries ranging from poultry-, beef- and produce- processing and hotel- and hospital laundry disinfection to medical sterilization and aerospace.
Murray's Chickens Inc. is one of the nation's largest processors of "all natural chickens" which are grown without the use of any antibiotics and animal by-products. These "all natural chickens" are marketed under the brand name, Murray's Chicken. Murray's Chicken is available at better butcher shops, fine food markets and health food stores.
Gold Farm Natural Foods Inc. is the processor of Gourmet Naturals -- a product line of safe, healthy, all natural poultry (Murray's) and meat cuisine in marinades made from fresh and natural ingredients. Gourmet Naturals will be available nationwide in February at better butcher shops, fine food markets and health food stores.
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