Norwalk, CT - The Analytical Instruments Division of Perkin-Elmer and the United States Department of Agriculture have signed a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) that may result in a scientific and rapid approach to meat inspection for quality and safety. Under the agreement, the two organizations will seek to develop an objective method to quickly and accurately detect and determine if there has been any deterioration in the quality of processed or raw stored meat products.
Current real-time methods are relatively subjective involving a “sniff and a poke” by trained personnel who determine the need for laboratory testing which can take at least 24 hours. These subjective evaluations are inconsistent and depend on smelling off- odors (volatile organic compounds) that are produced by the onset of pathogen and non-pathogen microbial degradation.
USDA has defined a need for an objective method to evaluate the headspace volatiles of meat products that is rapid, user friendly, and economical.
“We are pleased that our technology may have a leading role in helping solve the worldwide problem of food safety,” said Manuel A. Baez, senior vice president of Perkin- Elmer and president of its Analytical Instruments Division. “Food, along with pharmaceuticals and the environment, is one of several major markets served by Perkin-Elmer's broad range of highly sensitive analytical instruments - from hand-held air monitors to laboratory-based mass spectrometers.”
The Perkin-Elmer Corporation is a leading supplier of systems for life science research and related applications. It develops, manufactures, and markets life science systems and analytical instruments used in markets such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, environmental testing, food, agriculture, and chemical manufacturing. Headquartered in Connecticut, Perkin-Elmer had revenues of nearly $1.4 billion in fiscal 1997 and employs more than 6,000 people worldwide. Information about Perkin-Elmer is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.perkin-elmer.com or by phoning (800) 762-6923.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based upon Perkin-Elmer's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Perkin-Elmer notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
Return to Home Page