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Sep 1, 2009 12:00 PM

PURE Bioscience, creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, has obtained US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for its SDC-based sanitizer for food contact surfaces.

The new sanitizer was registered by PURE's wholly owned subsidiary, ETI-H2O, under the trade name Axen50 for sanitization of food contact surfaces and equipment in dozens of environments including farms, food processing plants, schools, hospitals and other institutions, restaurants, and homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that foodborne pathogens cause 76 million illnesses per year in the United States, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths. Although Americans have come to expect such risks associated with meat products like raw hamburger, the proportion of outbreaks caused by seemingly innocuous fruits and vegetables is increasing. E coli alone causes approximately 70,000 infections each year, and 5%-10% of those infected develop a potentially fatal kidney complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Foodborne illness creates not only health but also confidence issues for consumers. Food recalls can cause a significantly negative economic impact on businesses. For example, Salmonellosis is estimated by the CDC to cost more than $1 billion in medical costs and lost wages annually.

Food contact surface antimicrobials are processed as “sanitizers” by the EPA and, if registered, can only carry a 60-second sanitization claim, even if laboratory testing demonstrates faster kill times.