CALGARY, ALBERTA — FoodChek Systems Inc. is pleased to announce that the AOAC Research Institute/Gaithersburg, Maryland, a globally-recognized approval body for Food Safety diagnostic tests, has approved the FoodChek™-E. coli O157 test for use with Beef Carcass Sponge samples. This additional AOAC-approval, is consistent with USDA-prescribed testing procedures of beef carcasses, and complements FoodChek's other AOAC approvals including 25g, 65g, 325g and 375g Raw Ground Beef ("RGB") samples and N-60 Beef Trim samples. FoodChek™-E. coli O157 is now AOAC-approved and USDA-accepted for all current U.S. beef industry beef sample test applications.
The AOAC Beef Carcass Sponge approval further supports the Company's unique and proprietary MICT magnetic nanotechnology platform. The USDA's approval of the MICT platform enables FoodChek to offer U.S. beef processors the superior speed (results in 7 to 8 hours, including enrichment time), accuracy (≥ 98% sensitivity and specificity) and ease-of-use of the FoodChek™-E. coli O157 test with the full support of USDA inspectors. FoodChek™-E. coli O157 provides beef processors with the fastest Food Safety diagnostic test to safely release finished product into distribution, reduce product holding costs and recover lost product value.
William J. Hogan, President & CEO, stated "The AOAC Beef Carcass Sponge approval together with the previous AOAC approvals for 375g RGB and N-60 Beef Trim, now gives FoodChek™-E. coli O157 the ability to deliver E. coli O157 test results on site and in a single production shift to all beef processors, from large slaughterhouses to downstream raw ground beef grinders. From a risk-management perspective, these AOAC test approvals clearly demonstrate that FoodChek™-E. coli O157 is fast, accurate and the easiest diagnostic tool to monitor the effectiveness of processor's microbial interventions and process controls."
Dr. Gabriela Martinez, FoodChek's Director of Science stated "With these AOAC approvals, FoodChek™-E. coli O157 has now been proven to have superior sensitivity in RGB and Beef Trim samples (1cfu/375g) and in Beef Carcass Sponge samples (<0.05 cfu/100 cm2). This contributes to protecting both the beef processors' brand and public health. Additionally, this powerful screening tool detects all pathogenic serotypes of E. coli O157, including H7 and non motiles (NM), as well as other serotypes of E. coli O157, which are a growing public health concern."
About AOAC
The AOAC Research Institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International (www.aoac.org), is an independent non-profit corporation whose stated purpose is to promote and carry out activities related to the development, improvement, and understanding of analytical practices and procedures affecting public health and welfare.
About FoodChek Systems Inc.
FoodChek specializes in the development of advanced state-of-the-art Food Safety test methods and utilizes its revolutionary MICT proprietary magnetic nanotechnology for fast and accurate, yet easy-to-use and cost-effective detection of food-borne pathogens. FoodChek™-E. coli O157 is an AOAC-approved Performance Tested Method (Certificate #060902).
This information release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the FoodChek's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its private filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: FoodChek Systems Inc.