Lansing, MI - As recent news reports have well documented, food and feed producers and processors face costly consequences when contaminated products reach the marketplace. Reports of a recent Listeria outbreak have placed the number of implicated deaths at a dozen, and the financial impact of the recall alone at $70 million. In addition, the potential costs related to litigation for this outbreak are likely substantial.
"As we've seen, the consequences of an outbreak of Listeria are staggering," said James Herbert, Neogen's president. "Companies like Neogen need to get the word out to producers and processors that there are cost- effective options available today to help control Listeria and other foodborne bacteria before it can reach consumers."
"And, although bacteria such as Listeria, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are getting all the media attention right now, a short review of the recent history of contaminated food and animal feed outbreaks show that other threats, such as natural toxins and food allergens exist as well," Herbert continued.
A sampling of recent food and animal feed recalls:
* Sept. 1998 -- Savoie's Sausage & Food Products Inc. recalls about 500,000 pounds of frozen Savoie's Dressing Mix due to possible Salmonella contamination;
* Oct. 1998 -- Zartic Corporation recalls about 2,000,000 pounds of beef, chicken and pork patties due to possible Salmonella contamination;
* Oct. 1998 -- Rokeach Food Corp. recalls its 15-oz. cans of Mother's Choice Brand of "Pasta Animals in Sauce", "Alphabet Pasta in Sauce" and "Pasta Shells in Sauce" due to possible contamination from unlabeled eggs;
* Nov. 1998 -- Doane Products Company conducts a regional recall for dry dog food possibly contaminated with aflatoxin, a naturally-occurring toxin;
* Nov. 1998 -- Bitterman Family Confections recalls its Pocketsnacks due to possible contamination from unlabeled peanuts;
* Nov. 1998 -- Dixie Packers Inc. recalls about 1,500,000 pounds of hot dogs and lunch meat due to possible Listeria contamination;
* Nov. 1998 -- IBP recalls about 556,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination;
* Jan. 1999 -- Oscar Mayer recalls more than 28,000 pounds of lunch meats due to possible Listeria contamination;
* Jan. 1999 -- Thorn Apple Valley recalls 30 million pounds of hot dogs and luncheon kits due to possible Listeria contamination;
* Dec. 1998 - Jan. 1999 -- Bil Mar/Sara Lee recalls up to $70 million worth of hot dogs and lunch meats due to possible Listeria contamination.
"Neogen has a complete line of diagnostic test kits for the detection of foodborne bacteria, naturally-occurring toxins and food allergens," said Ed Bradley, Neogen's vice president of food safety sales and marketing. "Our products are simple, accurate and supported by our team of skilled customer and technical service representatives."
"Diligent use of diagnostic tests like Neogen's will help assure food and feed manufacturers that they will not have to experience the consequences of a recall," Bradley continued.
Neogen's food safety solutions are specifically designed to minimize user time and maximize convenience. For example, Neogen's line of REVEAL(R) microbial tests can detect E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria in a fraction of the time it requires conventional laboratory methodology. The rapid test for E. coli O157:H7 requires only 8 hours from start to result. Neogen's test for Listeria can yield results in as little as 43 hours -- a critical time savings for producers over conventional methodology, which can take up to a week to produce results.
And, unlike conventional laboratory methods, Neogen's REVEAL product line requires only a minimal amount of training to accurately perform. The tests' technology, and look, are similar to that of a home pregnancy test. Just add an incubated sample to a device, and a line will appear if the bacteria is present.
Similarly, Neogen's tests to detect the presence of unlabeled peanuts or eggs require only a short time -- 30 minutes -- to produce results. Neogen manufactures the only rapid tests for food allergens on the market today.
Marketed under the brands of Agri-Screen(R) and Veratox, Neogen produces both qualitative and quantitative ELISA-based tests for the six most common mycotoxins, including aflatoxin and vomitoxin. Neogen's mycotoxin tests have more official approvals than any other testing system.
The expertise Neogen can offer to producers and processors extends beyond its ability to develop and market quick and easy tests for possible food contamination. Neogen representatives are eager to help customers better understand the complexities of ever-escalating government regulations, including the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) program. Companies not yet under HACCP rules, or food and feed processors in general concerned about the safety of their products, can benefit from Neogen's guidance in how and where to test to ensure a cost-effective, yet thorough, approach to testing. And, Neogen's help doesn't end when 5 p.m. rolls around. Neogen maintains a 24-hour technical service hotline to help customers answer questions concerning the use of test kits or interpretation of results.
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
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