AOAC Grants Performance Testing Methods Status to Salmonella Rapid Culture Method that Delivers Results in Less than 48 HoursWALTHAM, Mass., Apr 03, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science,
today announced availability of a testing method that it has developed
to help food producers detect deadly Salmonella contamination in
their products. The Salmonella Rapid Culture Method delivers highly
accurate results in less than 48 hours, compared to up to four days for
other methods. The Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) granted
Performance Testing MethodsSM status to this new testing
solution.
The Salmonella Rapid Culture Method employs two novel culture products
in a simple two-step procedure. The AOAC granted Performance Testing
Methods status after trials demonstrated that the method delivered
consistent, accurate results that can allow food companies to confirm
their products are free from Salmonella. For more than 120 years,
AOAC has been a proactive, worldwide provider and facilitator in the
development, use and harmonization of validated analytical methods and
laboratory quality assurance programs and services.
"The recent Salmonella crisis underscores the fact that food
producers can never be too vigilant," said Tom Floyd, president,
microbiology products, Thermo Fisher Scientific. "The financial and
emotional consequences of even one food safety incident can be
staggering, from overnight bankruptcies to, much worse, loss of life.
But solutions that detect pathogens should not disrupt the production
process, and that's why we're committed to delivering technology and
methods that are both accurate and rapid. With this method, producers
can deliver goods safely to market sooner than with conventional
microbiological techniques."
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the
recent Salmonella outbreak in the U.S., which was first
associated with tainted peanut butter, sickened nearly 700 people in 46
states, sent at least 100 people to the hospital and may have
contributed to 9 deaths. In a similar Salmonella outbreak in
2007, also linked to peanut butter, more than 600 people were affected
at a reported cost of $66 million. Pistachio nuts are the latest food
product to be associated with Salmonella, with approximately two
million pounds of product being recalled in recent days. Certain spices
have also now been associated with a new outbreak centered in
California. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website
lists more than 800 recalled products tied to Salmonella.
More information on the Salmonella Rapid Culture Method can be found at www.remel.com/promotions/salmonella/.
Remel is a specialty brand of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving
science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and
safer. With annual revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately
34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical
and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs,
universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as
environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers
through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we
help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex
research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete
range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory
equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable
integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a
complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and
services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education.
Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers
and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of
scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for
shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.
SOURCE: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Media Contact Information:
Vaughn Harring, 781-622-1242
vaughn.harring@thermofisher.com
Website: www.thermofisher.com
or
Investor Contact Information:
Ken Apicerno, 781-622-1294
ken.apicerno@thermofisher.com
