Companies To Test Ozone In Killing Microorganisms
Robert Gehrke, Associated Press, Tuesday, January 20, 1998)
Poultry farmers are hoping a technology now used to remove microorganisms from bottled water will prove effective in fighting E.coli and other bacteria in poultry, meat and produce. The process,which is also being used for medical sterilization and food processing in Europe, uses ozone to react with the microorganisms. "It is the most effective anti-microbial agent on the face of the earth," said Bill Stoddard, president of Cyclopss Corp.
Cyclopss is the Salt Lake City-based company working to get approval from the United States Department of Agriculture to use the ozone treatment commercially on meat, poultry and produce. The company plans to begin testing on poultry next month. Results of those tests will be presented to the USDA.
"Based on what we know and what we're assured of we can accomplish...I would suspect that within six months you'll have numbers of ozonated chickens in the grocery stores," said Stoddard.
The objective of the tests is to show the USDA that spraying the poultry with ozone-infused water is an effective way to kill microorganisms like E.coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella.
"Unlike most disinfection technologies that literally poison microorganisms, ozone literally chews its way through the cell membrane or the cell wall by reacting with the carbon bonds," Stoddard said. "As it chews through the cell wall, eventually it will penetrate it and the cell will either implode or explode."
He said tests have shown that the ozone-treated water doesn't change the taste, texture and color of the food and the process leaves behind no residue. The water can also be reused, since there aren't any chemical byproducts left behind. And because it reacts with the carbon bonds, common to all the organisms, it is impossible for bacteria to become resistant to ozone, as some have with antibiotics or heat, Stoddard said.
Currently, most chicken producers treat their products with chlorine. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved irradiating food.
Stoddard said ozone kills the microbes 3,123 times faster than chlorine.
And Steve Gold, president of Murray's Chickens and Gold Farms, producers of naturally raised and processed chickens, said many people are wary of using radiation and chemicals in food processing. "The consumer that buys our product is very into this clean food," Gold said. "They have kids just like I do and they're very concerned about what they feed their family."
That's why Gold's companies agreed to begin the USDA-required in-plant testing next month.
Murray's Chickens is one of the nation's largest producers of naturally raised and processed chickens. Those chickens are packaged in marinades by Gold Farms. "We're very, very excited about it. Hopefully it will change the food industry," Gold said.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 9,000 people die every year from food poisoning in the United States and millions more are sickened.
Reported cases of salmonella, commonly carried in poultry and eggs, more than doubled from 22,600 in 1975 to 46,000 in 1995. Campylobacter, also associated with poultry, raw milk and untreated water causes 4,000 illnesses per 100,000 people a year.
And E.coli 0157, found in ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, Unpasteurized cider and apple juice causes 25 illnesses per 100,000
people.
Joe you said: I love all the posts about contaminated meat and chicken. They make me glad I'm a vegetetarian. Melinda is definitly an asset. What would you all do without her?
Joe...Two thoughts for you to ponder. First you are not safe from contaminated food simply because you eat no meat. Second as happy as I am to have Melinda Ballard with this company I hope that someday you will realize that the food processing industry is a $430 billon a year industry.With or without Melinda's capable guidance the company has the lead in all areas of ozone decontamination.
This company has a lead it will not relinquish. Ozone decontamination will save you from bad food not simply being a vegetarian.
GO OZON!
Regards, Jeff
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