AOAC Awards Approval to FoodChek™-E. coli O157 Test for 375g Sample
Calgary, Alberta, Canada – March 3rd, 2010 - FoodChek Systems Inc. ("FoodChek") (formerly Vacci-Test Corporation) is pleased to announce that the AOAC Research Institute, the approval body for all U.S. food safety tests, has approved a modification to its existing FoodChek™-E. coli O157 test for a 25g sample to that of the industry-standard sample size of 375g for detecting E. coli O157 in raw ground beef. This extended AOAC approval also includes the 65g and 325g composited sample sizes.
FoodChek™-E. coli O157 continues to demonstrate superior sensitivity to the USDA’s zero-tolerance requirement by detecting 1 colony-forming unit in a 375g sample of ground beef. With the larger 375g sample size, FoodChek has once again proven that its test is fast and accurate, yet simple and costeffective for detecting E. coli O157 in less than 8 hours (including enrichment time).
William J. Hogan, President & CEO, stated "FoodChek™-E. coli O157’s AOAC approval for the 375g sample size provides meat processors significant operational benefits including the ability to improve 'Process Control' issues and allow same-shift product release, thereby eliminating expensive holding costs. The superior speed and accuracy of FoodChek™-E. coli O157 will enable meat processors to achieve their goal of detecting the pathogen in raw material and finished products, if it is there."
About AOAC
The AOAC Research Institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International (www.aoac.org), is an independent non-profit corporation whose stated purpose is to promote and carry out activities related to the development, improvement, and understanding of analytical practices and procedures affecting public health and welfare.
About FoodChek Systems Inc.
FoodChek specializes in the development of advanced state of the art food safety. FoodChek utilizes its revolutionary proprietary magnetic nanotechnology for the fast, accurate and simple yet cost-effective detection of food-borne pathogens. FoodChek™-E. coli O157 is an AOAC-approved Performance Tested Method (Certificate #060902).
Corporate Name Change
We are pleased to announce that our corporate name has officially been changed to FoodChek Systems Inc. The corporation strongly believes that our new name best reflects our goal to become a key player in the food safety testing industry and build FoodChek into a "brand" that becomes synonymous with food safety.
Notice of Move
On December 21, 2009 the Corporation relocated its Calgary offices to:
Suite 450, 1414 – 8th Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2R 1J6
In this regard please update your records accordingly. Please note all other contact numbers remain the same.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada – November 24th 2009 - Vacci-Test Corporation is pleased to announce the first commercial sale and installation of its revolutionary FoodChek™-E. coli O157 System from U.S.-based Rastelli Foods Group, for its Swedesboro, New Jersey processing facility. The order was received by Vacci-Test following successful completion of an on-site evaluation at the Rastelli facility, which validated the FoodChek™ System's ability to provide E. coli O157 test results within a single production shift.
The AOAC-approved FoodChek™-E. coli O157 test has again proven that it is a fast and accurate, yet simple and cost-effective test for detecting E. coli O157 in raw ground beef and trim. The FoodChek™ -E. coli O157 test has demonstrated greater sensitivity than USDA/FSIS' baseline requirement and current test method, and detects the presence and level of E. coli O157 contamination after only six hours of sample enrichment. For meat processors seeking to reliably and cost effectively release safe food products to distribution within a single production shift, the FoodChek™ System represents a major diagnostic breakthrough and paradigm shift in Food Safety testing.
Mr. Carl (Chip) Zerr, Quality Assurance Manager of the Rastelli Foods Group states "Currently, we operate under a Test/Hold Plan, requiring us to wait 24 hours in order to obtain accurate results based upon current USDA approved test methods. Now, with the FoodChek™ System, we can eliminate this expensive practice and ship our tested ground products during the same shift that they are produced. The FoodChek™ System provides our organization with both a cost benefit and a competitive Food Safety edge in the marketplace."
Mr. William J. Hogan, President and CEO of Vacci-Test confirms "We are pleased that Rastelli Foods Group has chosen the FoodChek™ System to provide a level of confidence that their finished & released fresh meat products surpass the highest standards for detecting the pathogen E. coli O157. We are also pleased that the FoodChek™ System is being utilized as an effective internal risk-management tool to monitor meat processors' Food Safety programs throughout their facilities, providing them with the assurance that their established processes are properly functioning and mitigating potential product liability."
Rastelli's is a premier global supplier of custom beef, pork and seafood products to discriminating global food service customers across North America, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere. The company and its diverse product portfolio are recognized globally for superior value, quality and safety.
Vacci-Test specializes in the development of proprietary Food Safety tests, utilizing its revolutionary magnetic nanotechnology for the rapid, accurate and cost-effective detection and enumeration of food-borne pathogens. FoodChek™-E. coli O157 is an AOAC-approved Performance Tested Method (Certificate # 060902).
Vacci-Test Appoints Robert J. Iverach & Thompson MacDonald to its Board of Directors
Vacci-Test Receives U.S. Approval for FoodChek™-E.Coli Test
The AOAC Research Institute, the approval body for all U.S. food safety tests, has certified Vacci-Test’s FoodChek™-E.Coli as a Performance TestedSM method for detecting E.coli O157 in raw ground beef. This extremely rapid and accurate new test is seen as a technological breakthrough for meat-processors. This approval clears the way for FoodChek™-E.Coli to be sold as a certified food safety test in the United States and internationally.
Fifty times more sensitive than PCR methods, FoodChek™-E.Coli is revolutionizing the industry and setting the new standard for accuracy and speed in food safety testing. By utilizing magnetic nanotechnology and an inexpensive easy-to-use magnetic reader, FoodChek™-E.coli provides the most sensitive and quantitative result in a fraction of the time required by conventional testing.
Dr. Richard J. Flanagan, Chief Scientific Officer, said “We have now received confirmation that our state-of-the-art technology can easily be implemented in routine food safety testing. We also know that its extraordinary sensitivity will provide highly accurate results in much shorter testing times,enabling meat-processors to quickly and confidently release products into the marketplace with less likelihood of product recalls.”
ABOUT AOAC
The AOAC Research Institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International (www.aoac.org), is an independent non-profit corporation whose stated purpose is to promote and carry out activities related to the development, improvement, and understanding of analytical practices and procedures affecting public health and welfare.
ABOUT VACCI-TEST
Vacci-Test is a privately held Canadian corporation based in Calgary, Alberta that specializes in the development and commercialization of proprietary food safety tests, based on magnetic nanotechnology, for the rapid, accurate detection and quantitative measurement of pathogens in food.
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