NEOGEN Releases New Histamine ELISA Test
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq:
NEOG) today announced the release of the Alert for Histamine ELISA test for
the seafood processing industry. This test is less expensive, more rapid and
easier to use than existing test methods.
"This new test for Histamine will join our line of food safety detection products
for the seafood industry," said Terri Juricic, vice president and general manager
of Neogen's Lexington division. "Our estimate of the worldwide rapid histamine
test market is $7 million. As seafood producers begin to implement their HACCP
programs, we believe this test will be readily accepted and widely used in the
industry."
The detection and prevention of histamine has been identified by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) as an important component of a Hazard Analysis
Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.
Histamine is produced in certain types of fish when microbes break down the
amino acid histidine. Elevated temperature and time abuse of harvested fish
accelerate the growth of microorganisms normally present in the fish, increasing
the breakdown of histidine to histamine.
The Alert for Histamine test is a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The new test, which utilizes a quick water
extraction, provides results in about 30 minutes. The test will determine if a
sample contains more or less than 50 ppm histamine, the current FDA action
level. The Alert test has several advantages over existing test protocols. It
eliminates the need for a methanol extraction and can be read visually, making a
reader optional. The test is also insensitive to salt content, which had been a
problem with other tests.
Seafood processors and retailers are stepping up efforts to minimize levels of
contamination in their products. It has been determined that as many as 60
million people become ill annually because they have eaten contaminated food.
According to the Centers for Disease Control estimates, at least 10,000 deaths
occur annually as a result of foodborne contamination.
Neogen's strategy of providing simple, accurate and supported food safety
solutions has resulted in solid growth during the past six months. The Company
plans to release its second quarter results on Tuesday, January 6, 1998, and
expects to meet or exceed analyst estimates of $.10 per share for the quarter.
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this
press release constitute forward looking statements that involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in forward looking statements, including those risks detailed
from time to time in the company's reports on file at the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Neogen Corporation is a Lansing, Michigan based company that develops and
markets solutions for safety and improved quality in food, agriculture and
pharmacologics. The Company's diagnostic products are used by food and
animal producers to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, drug residues,
pesticide residues, plant disease infections and in quality assurance.
/CONTACT: Shada Biabani or Lon Bohannon of Neogen, 517-372-9200/ |
