Natural Chicken Processors Take Lead in Testing Ozone as a Food Safety Solution
January 20, 1998 07:30 AM
SALT LAKE CITY--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 20, 1998--Cyclopss Corp. OZON
Tuesday announced it has signed two agreements to pilot test its Eco-Pure Food
Safety System(1) with a New York-based all natural chicken processor, Murray's
Chickens Inc., and, New York-based prepared foods company, Gold Farm Natural
Foods Inc. The Food Safety and Inspection Service ("FSIS"), an agency of the United
States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"), requires the in-plant pilot testing if the
chicken processors are to use an ozone technology. These pilot tests follow President
Clinton's directive to food processors to better ensure the end customer that every step
is being taken to provide a safer product. The pilot tests demonstrate that Murray's
Chickens and Gold Farm Natural Foods is leading the industry in going the extra mile
to investigate new, more natural technologies now being made available to the food
processing industry. Ozone is generated by nature when lightning strikes and sends
electrical charges through the air; and leaves the air smelling fresh. The same effect can
be produced in controlled environments and can rid foods of microorganisms such as
E.coli 0157, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and the like. In fact, ozone kills E.coli more
than 3,000 times faster than does chlorine and unlike, chlorine, it leaves no chemical
residue behind, making it a more natural, consumer-friendly answer to food safety
issues. After ozone is introduced to food, it quickly reverts back to its close cousin,
oxygen. The pilot tests will occur simultaneously in Murray's Chickens' South
Fallsburg, N.Y. plant and in Gold Farm Natural Foods' co-packers plant in Troy,
N.Y. The initial pilot tests begin in Cyclopss' Salt Lake City laboratory facility. Then,
the tests progress to an in-plant phase once FSIS approves Cyclopss-submitted
detailed protocols. All testing is expected to take three months. Once concluded, the
data (including an independent lab's analysis of more than 600 samples) will be sent to
the USDA (FSIS) as part of the protocols submitted for approval prior to a full-scale
installation at the plant locations. Test chickens will be pulled off the production line
and will be used for test purposes only. Test chickens will not be sold. Bill Stoddard,
Cyclopss' president, said, "We applaud the USDA and FSIS and their directives; it
ensures that all food processors use the most sound practices when implementing a
new technology." Stoddard continued, "We also applaud Murray's Chickens and Gold
Farm Natural Foods for taking the initiative here. Most companies will not come to the
forefront of this issue unless they are going through a recall. Murray's and Gold Farm
are on the cutting edge of this new, more consumer-friendly technology and we are
impressed with their willingness to address it head-on." Steve Gold, president,
Murray's Chicken Inc., said, "We are encouraged by President Clinton's approach to
food safety. In our never ending search to bring the finest healthful food to the family
table, we are proud to be part of this innovative pilot test that may change the standard
of food safety as we know it today. "Our research has shown that the consumer not
only worries about what is being fed to the chicken they eat, but also about E.coli and
Salmonella. The Eco-Pure Food Safety System we will be testing will provide the
piece of mind to the consumer that they are serving their families not only the healthiest
product available, but also the safest." New York State Electric & Gas Corp.
(NYSEG), the electric utility that serves Murray's Chickens, will finance a portion of
the tests. Murray's Chickens lies within NYSEG's Economic Energy Zone, a dynamic
44-county business region in Upstate New York. Murray's Chickens joins hundreds of
companies that can point to improvements in operational efficiency, better
environmental compliance and improved business performance thanks to NYSEG's R
& D-related services. Cyclopss Corp. is one of the nation's leading developers of
ozone applications and technology for industries ranging from poultry-, beef- and
produce- processing and hotel- and hospital laundry disinfection to medical sterilization
and aerospace. Murray's Chickens Inc. is one of the nation's largest processors of "all
natural chickens" which are grown without the use of any antibiotics and animal
by-products. These "all natural chickens" are marketed under the brand name,
Murray's Chicken. Murray's Chicken is available at better butcher shops, fine food
markets and health food stores. Gold Farm Natural Foods Inc. is the processor of
Gourmet Naturals -- a product line of safe, healthy, all natural poultry (Murray's) and
meat cuisine in marinades made from fresh and natural ingredients. Gourmet Naturals
will be available nationwide in February at better butcher shops, fine food markets and
health food stores. NOTE TO EDITORS: Ozone white papers, 3-D
computer-generated graphics showing how ozone kills microbes and video footage are
available to members of the press only. Interviews with Steve Gold, President of both
Murray's Chickens and Gold Farms Natural Foods can be conducted from executive
offices in New City, N.Y. (914/639-3154). Interviews with Bill Stoddard, president of
Cyclopss, can be conducted from offices in Salt Lake City (800/972-9091). Also, Dr.
Amy Waldroup, Professor - Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, is available for
telephone interviews (501/575-4409). (1)Eco-Pure is the name of Cyclopss' food
safety system. It was a name given by a shareholder, Brenda Greer, who participated
in an informal contest to name the food processing line. Some 467 shareholders who
read and/or post on Silicon Investor, a popular web site visited by OZON
shareholders, submitted possible names. Silicon Investor can be accessed by using the
following link: www4.techstocks.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: In the Internet/email address noted in this news release, there is
a symbol, "tilde", between / and wsapi. This symbol may not appear properly in some
systems.
Let the good times roll.
john |
