USDA backs certain uses for PURE Control antimicrobial

PURE Bioscience has received a “No Objection Letter” from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for its poultry processing aid.

The creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial said approval has been granted for PURE Control to be used as a spray or dip applied to poultry carcasses, parts and organs in pre-OLR (on-line reprocessing) and post chill processing of fresh poultry.

The firm said it was in discussions with several poultry processors to begin in-plant validation and optimization testing.

PURE Control will be listed in FSIS’ Directive 7120.1 in the next scheduled revision.

PURE is continuing plant trials to optimize application of PURE Control in OLR to gain USDA approval and anticipates completion in Q3 this year.

Hank Lambert, CEO, said it was an important milestone in introducing the SDC technology to poultry processors.

“With this ‘No Objection Letter’ and 7120.1 listing in hand, we are moving forward with several of the top poultry processors to evaluate using PURE Control in their plants. As with each first time user of PURE Control, that process will include in-plant validation and optimization analysis over the next few months.”

PURE Bioscience said PURE Control is effective against Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter and other pathogens.

It added during laboratory testing, and simulated plant conditions, application to raw poultry carcasses during processing has demonstrated the potential to reduce Salmonella to below detection levels.