Technology may be breath of fresh air for poultry processing

01/01/2005

BY STEVE SMITH

DANBURY, Conn.-A food industry provider seeking to inhibit pathogens in poultry processing is adapting technology that’s behind an anti-microbial oral hygiene product.

Wynn Starr Specialty Flavors LLC (www.wynnstarr.com), which supplies culinary ingredients and technology to the food industry, plans to market the science behind Tasker Capital Corp.’s anti-microbial breath drink (www.breathrephresh.com) to its client base as a poultry processing disinfectant.

Tasker’s patented process involves a highly charged, acidified solution that enables copper sulfate-known for its bacteriostatic properties-to remain active through a wide range of pH values.

Tasker had originally focused its technology on the oral care industry, developing its Close Call breath drink that has been found to significantly reduce bacteria in the oral cavity, throat and upper respiratory tract. The acidified solution is said to significantly reduce sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

“We quickly recognized the applications of this technology for poultry processing,” says Wynn Starr CEO and Chairman Steve Zavagli. “Our initial analyses have indicated that [the] technology is highly effective in inhibiting pathogenic bacteria.”

A study by the University of Georgia determined the technology is indeed effective as a poultry processing disinfectant, and researchers identified significant reductions in or elimination of such pathogens as Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, E coli, Shewanella putrefaciens, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.

The process of preparing poultry for packaging and delivery requires immersion in scalding tanks and chill water tanks. Most existing sanitizing products typically are added at the chill water stage, since they evaporate and become ineffectual at high temperatures. As a result, the scalding tanks become breeding grounds for contamination.

Tasker’s FDA-approved proprietary ingredient, however, is designed to endure high temperatures and thus can be used in the scalding tank as a sanitizing agent, eliminating a substantial amount of bacteria in the early stages of processing and packaging.

The company says it is continuing clinical research and development of its sanitization technology for future products in other markets, including skin care and pet care.