The nominees for the 2007 Life Science Industry Awards have been announced, and 559 life science suppliers were nominated across 20 Award categories. In all, over 3,000 scientists voted between January 3, 2007 and February 16, 2007.

March 17, 2007 — /PRWeb/ — Arlington, VA — The nominees for the 2007 Life Science Industry Awards have been announced, and 559 life science suppliers were nominated across 20 Award categories. In all, over 3,000 scientists voted between January 3, 2007 and February 16, 2007. These respondents, based on their experiences using scientific products, voted for their favorite suppliers — taking into consideration practical factors such as satisfaction with product features, likelihood to purchase again, likelihood to recommend the supplier, the supplier with best overall solution, and cost-effectiveness.

BioInformatics, LLC, the premier market research and advisory firm serving the life science industry, was again selected to collect and tabulate the votes for the prestigious Life Science Industry Awards. The awards recognize those life science suppliers that are best-in-class in both product categories and customer communications and support categories. The winners are determined by the industry’s own customers — scientists in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, in government and academia who use the products day in and day out. The awards, organized by The Scientist magazine with the support of The Life Science Executive Exchange and The Science Advisory Board, have become a source of pride and a benchmark of excellence for the companies in the life science industry.

“These awards continue to enjoy a special prestige because they are conferred by the international life science community,” noted Bill Kelly, President of BioInformatics, LLC. “Recipients of the Life Science Industry Awards aren’t solicited for a fee to receive these honors. Our awards are based on the actual experiences of thousands of scientific customers in labs around the world who recognize excellence in their suppliers.”

Members of The Science Advisory Board and readers of The Scientist cast their votes for the companies that have made the greatest contributions to life science technology in the past year. The votes now being analyzed by BioInformatics, LLC will identify those companies voted “best-in-class” in each of the product and communications/support categories below:

Product Categories
Cell biology instruments (Flow cytometer-based) — Cell biology instruments (Microscope-based) — Cell biology kits and reagents — Cell culture media and reagents — Computer hardware — Gene expression analysis products — High throughput screening and analysis systems — Image analysis systems — Instrumentation for genomic analysis — Instrumentation for protein analysis — Laboratory plasticware — Nucleic acid purification products — Protein separation products — RNAi products

Communication and Support Categories
–Print Catalog — Customer Service — Technical Support — Web Site — Sales Representatives — Print Advertisements

The full list of nominees as well as more information on the Awards is now available online at http://www.LifeScienceIndustryAwards.com.

Finalists in all categories will be announced at the end of March. The winners of the 2007 Life Science Industry Awards will be announced at an upcoming event hosted by The Scientist, magazine of the life sciences.

ABOUT BIOINFORMATICS, LLC
BioInformatics, LLC (http://www.gene2drug.com) is a market research and advisory firm that supports marketing, sales and R&D executives in the life science, medical device and pharmaceutical industries through published research reports, custom research and consulting. It also sponsors the world’s largest market research panel of scientific customers — The Science Advisory Board.

ABOUT THE SCIENTIST
The Scientist (http://www.the-scientist.com) is the magazine of the life sciences; with a readership of over 70,000 print subscribers and over 400,000 monthly visitors on the web. Now in its 20th year, The Scientist offers a unique blend of authoritative editorial content covering the people, companies, technologies and innovations that are transforming the life sciences.

ABOUT THE LIFE SCIENCE EXECUTIVE EXCHANGE
The Life Science Executive Exchange (http://www.lifescienceexec.com) is an online community that enables professionals to stay in touch with what’s happening in the life science “tools” and technology marketplace today. In addition to instant access to breaking news on the market’s most significant players, The Life Science Executive Exchange provides its members with convenient access to industry-specific information to support both corporate and personal success.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
The Science Advisory Board (http://www.scienceboard.net) is the world’s largest market research panel of scientific customers. The online community is divided into two panels (Research and Clinical) and consists of more than 32,000 life scientists from 62 countries. These experts, representing all aspects of the life sciences and medicine, “convene” regularly via the World Wide Web to voice their opinions on a wide variety of issues relating to biomedical research and clinical technologies.

Press Contact: AMANDA DONATHEN
Company Name: BIOINFORMATICS, LLC
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 703-778-3080 — 14
Website: http://www.gene2drug.com

More Information: http://www.prweb.com//releases/2007/3/prweb512145.htm

Media Inquiries: Mike Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

March 17, 2007 — /FDA/ — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been informed that Menu Foods, Inc., a private-label pet food manufacturer based in Statesville, Ontario, Canada, is recalling all its “cuts and gravy” style dog and cat food produced at its facility in Emporia, Kansas between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The products are sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The recall was prompted by consumer complaints received by the manufacturer and by tasting trials conducted by the manufacturer. There has been a small number of reported instances of cats and dogs in the United States that developed kidney failure after eating the affected product. Ten deaths, one dog and nine cats, have reported at this time. The firm has undertaken extensive testing of the pet food products in question, but to date has been unable to find the source of the problem.

The products are packaged in cans and pouches under numerous brand names and are marketed nationwide by many pet food retailers including Ahold USA Inc., Kroger Company, Safeway, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., PetSmart, Inc., and Pet Valu, Inc.

Menu Foods, Inc. has identified the potentially contaminated products on the Internet at www.menufoods.com/recall. Consumers who have any of these products should immediately stop feeding them to their pets. Dogs or cats who have consumed the suspect feed and show signs of kidney failure (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) should consult with their veterinarian. Menu Foods, Inc. is notifying retailers by telephone and mail and is arranging for the return of all recalled products.

FDA is conducting an investigation and working with Menu Foods, Inc. to ensure the effectiveness of the recall. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-866-895-2708. Consumers who wish to report adverse actions or other problems can go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html to contact the FDA complaint coordinator in their state.

Global Fab Surplus Semiconductor Equipment (GFab) LLC and Ascent’tec join expertise, assets and resources for supporting European customer base.

March 15, 2007 — /PRWeb/ — Colorado Springs, CO — Global Fab Surplus Semiconductor Equipment (GFAB) LLC, a leading provider of used semiconductor equipment, complete wafer fabs, subsystems, spares and service, are pleased to announce their business partnership with ascent’tec Europe B.V., a premier source of Chemical Mechanical Planarization equipment, spares and service in Europe.

Ascent’tec will market and support GFAB’s extensive inventory of used semiconductor equipment, complete facilities, subsystems and spares in Europe.

GFAB and ascent’tec had been working together on an informal basis since last year, but decided to formalize the relationship when the advantages of the complimentary expertise, resources and assets became apparent.

“We are very excited by this latest development and opportunity for growth in both companies. We share a strong commitment to providing the best service, support and maintaining long term relations with our European based customers,” commented Thierry Brugere, GFab European Sales Director, on the partnership. Jan-Dirk “JD” van der Steen, President of Ascent’tec, added, “The synergy between our companies is clear and provides a perfect business fit. We believe the unique combination of our proven technology, highly skilled labor force and service, and GFab’s impressive ability to provide top quality used semiconductor equipment provides the perfect platform for market penetration and growth for both organizations.”

About Global Fab Surplus Semiconductor Equipment (GFAB) LLC
Established in 2003, Global Fab Surplus Semiconductor Equipment LLC is a leading provider of used semiconductor equipment in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The company’s products include front end, back end, complete wafer fabs, subsystems, spares and service and allow semiconductor manufacturing organizations to boost capacity and increase technology at greatly reduced costs compared to sourcing from the OEMs and OPMs.

GFAB’s used semiconductor equipment solutions are used by IDMs, wafer foundries, universities, R&D facilities and government organizations across the world, including all of the major players in the industry.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, GFAB currently has offices and warehouses in France, The Netherlands, California, Idaho and Oregon. For more information on GFAB, please visit www.global-fab.com .

Contact: David Lee, +1-719-229-6066

About ascent’tec Europe B.V.
About ascent’tec Europe B.V. is a leading provider of vendor independent services and after sales service support to Legacy equipment in the Semiconductor Industry. It is situated in the center of The Netherlands near Gorinchem. Offering both technical and logistical expertise, ascent’tec Europe B.V. is able to offer clientele a global solution to one-stop-shop service.

As a vendor independent refurbishment and service organization, ascent’tec Europe B.V. is specialized in CMP Tools, Post CMP Cleaners, Diffusion Ovens, Dry Etch Tools and Coater Developer and Cleaning Track systems. ascent’tec Europe B.V. also delivers new systems through partners who are specialists in their designated fields. For more information about ascent’tec Europe B.V., please visit www.ascent-tec.biz .

Contact: Jan-Dirk “JD” van der Steen, +31-41 65 64 924

March 14, 2007 — /IEST/ — ROLLING MEADOWS, IL — Technical papers on the Mars Rover and Hubble Space Telescope projects will be available when the April 2007 issue of the Journal of the IEST, official technical publication of the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology, goes online.

Subjects of the technical papers are: sport utility vehicle rollover testing, the Mars Rover environmental test program, the contamination control program for the Hubble Space Telescope, a test method to measure surface cleanliness, a study on the operational modal analysis of aluminum beams, a virtual remaining life assessment method for electronic hardware, and the disconnect between environmental testing and aging, long-lived vehicles.

Free Tech Talk articles will address ISO 14644-5: Operations, IEST-RP-CC012: Considerations in Cleanroom Design, and USP 797 compliance. Also to be published is the original technical paper written by a student who won the Robert N. Hancock Memorial Scholarship provided by IEST.

The exclusively online Journal of the IEST features peer-reviewed papers of the highest technical quality in the areas of design, test, and evaluation; product reliability; and contamination control. For nearly 50 years, the Journal has been the premier provider of technical information published in a quality format for professionals in the environmental sciences. Two issues of the Journal are published annually.

Visitors to http://www.iest.org/journal/journal.htm will have unrestricted access to Tech Talk articles and full-text abstracts of the peer-reviewed technical papers. IEST members and Journal subscribers have complete access to technical papers in the current issue as well as a 20-year archive of papers and articles. Others have the option to purchase individual, complete papers, become a member of IEST, or become a subscriber to the Journal.

More information about the Journal can be obtained by calling IEST at (847) 255-1561 or e-mailing to [email protected].

State-of-the-art printed semiconductor fab supports high volume, commercial production

March 13, 2007 — /BUSINESS WIRE/ — LINZ, Austria — NANOIDENT Technologies AG, the world leader in printed semiconductor-based optoelectronic sensors, today announced it has opened the world’s first manufacturing facility for the delivery of printed semiconductor-based optoelectronics. The NANOIDENT ORGANIC FAB (OFAB) GmbH, located in Linz, Austria, supports high-volume production and will use the company’s SEMICONDUCTOR 2.0 Platform to deliver printed semiconductor-based products for the NANOIDENT Group of companies, which includes NANOIDENT Technologies AG, NANOIDENT Biometrics GmbH, NANOIDENT Biometrics SAS and BIOIDENT Technologies, Inc. With its environmentally friendly production process, the OFAB can produce printed electronic devices quickly and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional silicon-based semiconductor fab.

“Just as we can’t imagine our lives today without electronic devices that rely on silicon-based semiconductors, in the near future the same will apply to printed electronics-based applications,” said Craig Cruickshank, principal analyst at cintelliq. “NANOIDENT’s OFAB opening is a significant step forward to making the vision of printed electronics a reality with the first of what will be a growing number of printed electronics facilities worldwide.”

With the company’s SEMICONDUCTOR 2.0 Platform technology (see today’s related release: NANOIDENT SEMICONDUCTOR 2.0 Platform Drives Printed Semiconductor Development) and OFAB production facility, NANOIDENT is enabling new, innovative solutions in a wide range of markets, including consumer, industrial, life sciences and security, that were previously cost-prohibitive or simply not able to be created due to the physical constraints of silicon. Moreover, expensive masks, wasted material and dangerous acids used for etching are not needed with printed electronics. Toxic materials are not used in the OFAB, making it a green production process.

“The OFAB opening marks a major industry achievement by bringing a new class of printed electronics from the lab to the fab,” said Klaus G. Schroeter, CEO, NANOIDENT. “Printed semiconductor-based optoelectronic devices created by the OFAB will usher in an era of new application types — traditionally not well-suited for silicon — which will improve healthcare, enhance personal and homeland security, as well as drive new industrial applications. These applications are just the beginning, as we look forward to driving continued advancements for printed devices that will enhance peoples’ lives.”

NANOIDENT’s OFAB is fitted with a class 100 cleanroom (less than 100 half-micrometer particles per cubic foot). To produce printed electronics at the OFAB, nanomaterials are deposited onto a substrate using advanced printing methods. The process is extremely fast. For example, traditional chip manufacturing takes approximately two to three months. In the OFAB, the entire process can be completed in hours or days, depending on the application. Prototypes and volume production can be run on the same equipment, which allows for highly customized devices. Production capacity can easily be scaled as needed by adding more equipment.

The NANOIDENT OFAB workflow includes:
*Design – Printed electronics uses many of the same electronic design automation (EDA) tools as conventional integrated circuit (IC) design. The finished layout is translated into files that are read by the printing equipment.
*Materials Management – All materials are subjected to a variety of sophisticated chemical, electrical and mechanical tests.
*Ink Formulation – The “printing inks” used in the OFAB consist of conducting and semiconducting conjugated polymers and/or other nanomaterials that are formulated into solvents, which serve as the functional layers for the printed electronic device.
*Substrate Preparation – Before printing, the substrate must be cleaned and treated to promote adhesion. Printed electronics can use virtually any substrate, including glass, plastic foil, ceramic or even silicon for a complex hybrid system. The substrate can have a variety of mechanical properties – rigid or flexible, flat or curved, thick or as thin as 20 micrometers (one-fifth the thickness of standard paper).
*Functional Layer 1 — n – Printing is done one layer at a time (semiconductor, conductor, insulator, resistor and dielectric), each deposited using an advanced printing system. With feature sizes as small as 10 micrometers, the layers must align precisely for the device to function properly, so the substrate is mounted on an X-Y table, a precision instrument with high-speed linear motors enabling precise control with sub-micrometer accuracy.
*Curing – Each layer must be dry before subsequent layers are printed.
*Dicing – Just as in a silicon fab, many devices can be printed on one substrate. Once all layers have been printed and cured, a computer-controlled laser or glass dicing system precisely cuts the individual pieces apart. All devices then go through an automated electrical/optical test.
*Assembly (optional) – If needed, other components such as a microcontroller, can be attached for complex hybrid systems.
*Packaging – Printed electronics do not generally require traditional, molded plastic chip packaging. In many applications the substrate is the component packaging.

OFAB Webcast
The company will conduct a live Webcast about the OFAB opening today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To join the live Webcast or to view a recording following the event, please visit http://www.nanoident.com/NewsCenter/webcast.php
For artwork, please visit http://www.nanoident.com/Siteservice/Download_Images.htm

About NANOIDENT Technologies AG
NANOIDENT is the world leader in the development and manufacture of printed semiconductor-based optoelectronic sensors. The company’s core technology merges the latest breakthroughs in materials science and nanotechnology with modern printing techniques to create a new class of semiconductor devices. The revolutionary SEMICONDUCTOR 2.0 Platform is the basis of the world’s first commercial printed photonic sensors, enabling a whole new generation of applications in the industrial, biometric and life science markets.

NANOIDENT’s high-speed, environmentally friendly manufacturing process utilizes liquid nanomaterials and additive production techniques. These liquids are used to print electronic circuits on a wide variety of surfaces, producing products in mere hours for prototype as well as high-volume applications. The company’s printed semiconductor devices can be bendable, disposable, light, ultra-thin and large area. They have application specific spectral and electronic properties and can contain light sources and light detectors as well as electronic circuits. These unique characteristics enable cost-effective, custom designed devices for applications such as industrial, chemical, biological, biometric and X-ray sensors, printed OLED displays for smart packaging and electronic signage.

Privately held, the company is headquartered in Linz, Austria, with subsidiaries in Menlo Park, California and Grenoble, France.
Contact:
NANOIDENT Technologies AG
Ulrike Kaiser
Untere Donaulaende 21-25
A-4020 Linz, Austria
Tel.: +43 732 9024 0000
e-Mail: [email protected]
www.NANOIDENT.com

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Contact: Flora Foods 954-785-3100

March 8, 2007 — /FDA News/ — Pompano Beach, FL — Flora Foods of Pompano Beach, Florida, is recalling its 25oz jars of “Cerignola Olives” (UPC 0-20038-00693-5) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The recalled “Cerignola” olives were distributed in Florida, Georgia and upstate New York in retail stores.

The product comes in a 25 oz, clear glass jar marked with LOT #G080 stamped on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product had been underprocessed.

Distribution of the product has been suspended as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 25 oz jars of “Cerignola” olives are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 954-785-3100.

Media Inquiries: Mike Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-SAFEFOOD

March 9, 2007 — /FDA News/ — As a follow-up to the recent Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing consumers that ConAgra has extended their recall of all Peter Pan peanut butter, and all Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111, including peanut butter toppings, back to October 2004. This information was obtained recently as part of the ongoing investigation being conducted by FDA.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products since October 2004 should discard them. FDA’s advice to consumers continues to be not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or any Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code.

FDA will provide updates on recalled products, including any other products that may have been made with potentially contaminated peanut butter and distributed to consumers.

Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections or death. Individuals who have recently eaten peanut butter-containing products from these companies and who have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately and report the illnesses to their state or local health authorities. Similarly, institutional food establishments and other food service providers who have received reports of illness from consumers after they consumed a product containing this peanut butter are encouraged to share that information with their local health department.

FDA is continuing to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with states and local officials to identify how the contamination occurred in order to prevent similar foodborne illness outbreaks.

March 12, 2007 — /BOC Edwards/ — LONDON — CCMP Capital, through affiliates of CCMP Capital Advisors LLC and CCMP Capital Asia, Ltd., premier international private equity firms, have reached agreement with The Linde Group, the global gases company, to acquire BOC Edwards, a leading manufacturer of vacuum equipment. The deal is valued at £460m, with an additional payment of £45m if CCMP Capital is successful in developing the business and subsequently exiting its investment.

BOC Edwards is a leading global supplier of equipment and services to the world’s most advanced industries, including semiconductor, flat panel display, chemical, metallurgical, analytical instrumentation and R&D. It supplies major manufacturers in Asia, Europe and the Americas through a worldwide manufacturing and sales network.

The acquisition follows last year’s acquisition of The BOC Group by Linde and Linde’s announcement last September that it intended to focus on its global gases operations and would review strategic options for the divestment of BOCEdwards.

CCMP Capital Advisors and CCMP Capital Asia are acquiring the main vacuum and semiconductor equipment business of BOC Edwards. The pharmaceutical division will remain a subsidiary of The Linde Group.

Commenting on the announcement, Nigel Hunton, Chief Executive of BOC Edwards, said: “We are delighted to welcome CCMP as our new partners. We feel they have a real understanding for our business and its potential and that their financial strength and scale will support the company as we develop our operations worldwide and capitalise on our strong market position. This is the start of a new independent era for BOC Edwards in which we can focus on delivering world class products and services to our customers.”

Stephen Welton from CCMP Capital Advisors added: “We are very pleased to have reached agreement to acquire BOC Edwards. Our Diligence has confirmed the leading position of BOC Edwards, its management and staff, its extensive product range and its strong customer relationships. We believe that under CCMP’s ownership BOC Edwards can move to a new level as an independent company and develop its technology in new markets whilst retaining leadership in its core areas.”

John Lewis from CCMP Capital Asia, commented: “BOC Edwards is an outstanding business with a rapidly growing Asian customer base, including leading semiconductor companies and equipment manufacturers in Greater China, Korea, Japan and Singapore. We will support management, using CCMP’s presence and experience in these markets to help BOC Edwards get closer to their fast growing Asian customer base.”

The companies expect to close the transaction between the beginning of May and the end of June subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions.

About BOC Edwards
BOC Edwards is a leading supplier of integrated solutions for the manufacture of microelectronics devices, including semiconductors and flat panel displays. It is also a world leader in vacuum technology for industrial, scientific, process, and R&D applications. BOC Edwards employs around 4,000 people globally, in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum equipment. BOC Edwards invented the concept of the commercial oil-free ‘dry’ vacuum pump and now supplements this with a wide range of other pumping technologies as well as related products and services.

About CCMP Capital
CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC investment team has invested over $10 billion in over 375 buyout and growth equity transactions since 1984. The foundation of CCMP Capital’s investment approach is to leverage the combined strengths of its deep industry expertise and proprietary global network of relationships by focusing on five targeted industries: Consumer, Retail and Services; Energy; Healthcare Infrastructure; Industrials; and Media and Telecom. Through active management and its powerful value creation model, CCMP Capital’s team has established a reputation as a world-class investment partner.

Selected investments include: AMC Entertainment, Aramark Corporation, Generac Power Systems, Grupo Corporativo ONO, Hanley Wood, Harbor Point Re, PQ Corporation, Quiznos Sub, SafetyKleen Europe and Warner Chilcott. Prior to forming CCMP Capital, the firm’s principals led the buyout and growth equity investment business of J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, a private equity division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. CCMP Capital follows the successful investment strategy its principals developed and implemented as members of J.P. Morgan Partners.

CCMP Capital is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CCMP Capital Asia
CCMP Capital Asia is one of the largest and most experienced buyout firms in Asia, with US$2.7 billion in capital commitments under management. Since its launch in May 1999, CCMP Capital Asia has advised on total investment commitments of over US$1.6 billion in 24 companies with total transaction value of over US$10 billion. The commitments are spread across Asia in CCMP Capital Asia’s focus markets of Australia, Greater China, Japan, Korea and Singapore. CCMP Capital Asia’s core strategy is to target control investments in market leading companies with strong cash generative business models, high barriers to entry and differentiating capabilities or products. In particular, the Firm focuses on companies where it is able to utilize its operationally driven business model to create value and drive returns.

Representative investments include: Air International Thermal, ASAT, Buy The Way, Godfrey’s, Haitai Confectionary, Mando Corporation, Metalform, Rhythm Corporation, Sanda Kan Industrial, Waco and Yellow Pages Singapore.

Media Inquiries: Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

March 12, 2007 — /FDA News/ — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today published a draft final guidance advising processors of fresh-cut produce how to minimize microbial food safety hazards common to the processing of most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, which are often sold to consumers in a ready-to-eat form.

The document — “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables” — suggests that fresh-cut processors consider a state-of-the-art food safety program such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, which is designed to prevent, eliminate, or reduce to acceptable levels the microbial, chemical, and physical hazards associated with food production.

The guidance complements FDA’s regulations of manufacturing practices and incorporates comments received in response to its draft issued in March 2006. The current version will not be final until the White House Office of Management and Budget completes an authorization step required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the agency announces that the guidance is final.

“Ensuring the safety of the American food supply is one of this Agency’s top priorities,” said Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, Commissioner of Food and Drugs. ” Americans are eating more fresh-cut produce, which we encourage as part of a healthy diet. But fresh cut-produce is one area in which we see foodborne illness occur. Offering clearer guidance to industry should aid in the reduction of health hazards that may be introduced or increased during the fresh-cut produce production process.”

Dr. von Eschenbach will testify before a hearing by the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which will address the processes in place and improvements being made regarding food safety, specifically the safety of fresh produce and vegetables. The hearing will take place in Madison, Wisconsin, on March 12, 2007.

Processing produce into fresh-cut product increases the risk of bacterial contamination and growth by breaking the natural exterior barrier of the produce by peeling, slicing, coring, or trimming the produce with or without washing or other treatment before the produce is packaged for consumers. Examples of fresh-cut products are shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, salad mixes (raw vegetable salads), peeled baby carrots, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, cut celery stalks, shredded cabbage, cut melons, sliced pineapple, and sectioned grapefruit.

Consumers can reduce their risk of illness from fresh-cut produce by following safe handling practices such as refrigerating the product after purchase; using only clean hands, utensils or dishes in preparing the product; and discarding the product when the “use by” date has expired.

The Guide complements FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for food (21 CFR 110) and provides a framework for identifying and implementing appropriate measures to minimize the risk of microbial contamination during the processing of fresh-cut produce. Specifically, it discusses the production and harvesting of fresh produce and provides recommendations for fresh-cut processing in the following areas: (1) personnel health and hygiene, (2) training, (3) building and equipment, (4) sanitation operations, and (5) fresh-cut produce production and processing controls from product specification to packaging, storage and transport. The Guide also provides recommendations on recordkeeping and on recalls and tracebacks.

The Guide also recommends that processors encourage the adoption of safe practices by their partners throughout the supply chain, including produce growers, packers, distributors, transporters, importers, exporters, retailers, food service operators, and consumers. These practices include:
*Establishing a company policy that employees report any active case of illness to supervisors before beginning work and training;
*Training supervisors to recognize typical signs/symptoms of infectious disease; maintain the proper first aid to protect and cover any wound; and not allow an employee to work with any aspect of fresh or fresh-cut produce, processing equipment or tools until the wound has healed and/or the infectious disease has been treated.

FDA believes awareness of the common risk factors discussed in this guidance and implementation of preventive controls determined by a firm to be appropriate to its individual operations will enhance the safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. More information on safe handling practices of produce can be found at http://www.fightbac.org/.

Written comments on the Guide are acceptable at any time and should be sent to FDA’s Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Comments on the Guide-specific to issues involving the Paperwork Reduction Act should be faxed within 30 days of the publishing date of the Federal Register notice to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, FAX: 202-395-6974.

The Guide is accessible on the FDA Website at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/guidance.html