SAN DIEGO — PURE Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: PURE), creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today provided an update on the commercialization efforts of FDA approved PURE Control® as a food safety solution for produce processors. PURE Control can be applied as a spray or dip on produce intended for processing.
As previously discussed, PURE Control is being used by one of the leading fresh produce processors to complete pilot plant validation and optimization trials. This processor is testing the use of PURE Control as a new processing step for added protection. The pathogen reduction results from these trials exceeded the processor’s goals. After completion of pilot plant testing and process validation, the next step for the processor will be to move into an operating facility for online trials, expected in calendar Q4.
At this time, three additional prominent processors of fresh and/or frozen produce have begun their own PURE Control use trials. PURE continues to leverage its existing foothold with a number of major produce and fruit processors who are using its SDC-based PURE® Hard Surface disinfectant for environmental sanitation.
Processor Achieves 3 Log Pathogen Reduction During Testing
PURE Control is a highly effective solution to reduce pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. The trial work validated by one of the produce processors using PURE Control has been summarized in a recent Technical Bulletin (Treatment of Celery with PURE Control) published by PURE. PURE Control was applied to celery to reduce E. coli, coliforms, yeast & mold and Lactic Acid Bacteria and achieved a dramatic 3.74 Log CFU/g reduction in bacteria counts (the industry views a 1.0+ Log reduction as highly effective).
Hank R. Lambert, CEO of PURE, said, “We stand on the threshold of commercializing PURE Control in the +$300 million US produce processing aid market. We are gratified – not only by the meaningful results achieved by our first fresh produce processing user validation – but also by the respective pathogen reductions being achieved by the additional produce processors. When compared with the toxic processing aids used in the market today, PURE Control is a highly effective pathogen solution with superior effectiveness and lower toxicity.”
Produce – The Leading Source of Foodborne Illness in the US
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified leafy greens as the primary source of foodborne illness.
- Each year, one in six Americans is sickened by foodborne illness, according to the CDC.
- Recent, highly visible incidents of foodborne illness outbreaks reported in the media are linked to produce processors and underscore the pressing need for more effective pathogen reduction solutions.
About PURE Bioscience, Inc.
PURE Bioscience, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing our proprietary antimicrobial products primarily in the food safety arena – providing solutions to the health and environmental challenges of pathogen and hygienic control. Our technology platform is based on patented stabilized ionic silver, and our initial products contain silver dihydrogen citrate, or SDC. SDC is a broad-spectrum, non-toxic antimicrobial agent, which offers 24-hour residual protection and formulates well with other compounds. As a platform technology, SDC is distinguished from existing products in the marketplace because of its superior efficacy, reduced toxicity and it mitigates bacterial resistance. PURE is headquartered in El Cajon, California (San Diego metropolitan area). Additional information on PURE is available at www.purebio.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company’s failure to implement or otherwise achieve the benefits of its proposed business initiatives and plans; acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, including the Company’s ability to convert successful evaluations and tests into customer orders and customers continuing to place product orders as expected and to expand their use of the Company’s products; the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive required regulatory approvals for such products, including the required data and regulatory approvals required to use its SDC-based technology as a direct food contact processing aid in raw meat processing and to expand its use in OLR poultry processing; competitive factors; dependence upon third-party vendors, including to manufacture its products; and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, its Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended October 31, 2015 and its Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended January 31, 2016, and its Form 10-Q for the third quarter ended April 30, 2016. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
Source: PURE Bioscience, Inc.
