29TH ANNUAL K-STATE RAPID METHODS AND AUTOMATION IN MICROBIOLOGY WORKSHOP JUNE 15-22

Kansas State University's 29th annual Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology workshop (http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/rapidmethods/index.shtml) was held June 15-22 in Manhattan, Kansas. The workshop is under the direction of K-State's Daniel Y.C. Fung, an internationally known authority in the field and professor of animal sciences and industry and food science, and offered through the K-State department of animal sciences and industry.

The workshop has served more than 4,000 participants from across the United States and 60 countries in the last 26 years. It focuses on the practical application of conventional and new commercial systems of rapid identification of microorganisms from medical specimens, foods water, and the environment. Participants received intensive theoretical and hands-on training in microbiological automation.

A big thanks goes to our U.S. distributor, Microbiology International, who was one of the sponsors for the event and invited us to attend and present on our R.A.P.I.D. ® LT Food Security System. From Microbiology International, Jason Cadle also presented on “The Total PCR Solution” To learn more about Microbiology International, please visit www.800ezmicro.com. To learn more about the Idaho Technology Food Security System, please visit us at: http://www.idahotech.com/FoodSecurity/.

Campden UK Meeting

Along with our U.K. distributor Microgen Bioproducts, we recently attended the Campden BRI meeting “Rapid and alternative microbiology methods” on June 4, 2009. This was a one-day seminar designed to combine presentations from key experts in the area of rapid microbiological testing, and attendees included microbiologists and technologists from all levels of the food and beverage industry.The program included presentations on filter-based media culturing solutions, cell-based oxygen sensing systems, lateral flow devices, and PCR instruments. Idaho Technology was happy to participate with our "real-time PCR detection of E. coli O157:H7 from enriched food samples" presentation given by Kelly Winterberg, Ph.D.A special thanks to Stuart Clark, Ph.D. at Microgen Bioproducts for sponsoring the event and showing us great hospitality!

Stuart Clark Ph.D., Microgen Bioproducts showing the R.A.P.I.D. ® LT Food Security System from Idaho Technology.

IFT Food Expo 2009

Tens of thousands of food professionals from around the globe make their way each year to the IFT Food Expo to see the latest products, technologies, tools, techniques, and services at one of the most highly regarded new product forums in the industry. The Expo was held June 6-9 in Anaheim, California and with safety and quality on the minds of today's consumers, the Expo featured a Food Safety & Quality Pavilion that put the spotlight on instrumentation, services, processing, and packaging technologies to find the latest answers to the critical global food industry issues.


This year Idaho Technology participated with our U.S. Distributor, Microbiology International (http://www.800ezmicro.com/) to showcase our R.A.P.I.D.® LT Food Security System. The goal of our system is to Make Food Safe and we do that by bringing food producers and distributors a PCR solution that is Easy, Accurate and Timely. To learn more about the RAPID LT visit us at http://www.idahotech.com/FoodSecurity/.

Nanoscience and Food Safety?

"Nanoscience to boost food safety, quality and shelf life" according to an article by Mike Stones in http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/.

Basically the technology could be used to provide anti-microbial coatings for food contact surfaces or packaging. Other applications include using nanoscience to engineer sensors to detect pathogens and toxins in food or to register environmental changes. For example, nanochips in smart inks used for food packaging could register warnings if the temperature of the package rose above certain programmed limits.

But unlocking nanoscience's vast potential depends on overcoming five significant challenges, including safety in the workplace, distinguishing between natural nanparticles and those introduced by human intervention, economics, an uncertain regulatory future and food safety.

Read the full article here: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/Nanoscience-to-boost-food-safety-quality-and-shelf-life?nocount

The Cost of Food Safety

Did you know that the U.S. economy loses $44 billion each year because of foodborne illnesses? While food safety isn't free and ultimately makes our food prices higher, what's the cost of not keeping our food supply safe? Of course the biggest costs can't be measured only in dollars, it's also the suffering and deaths that stem from foodborne illnesses.

With a new FDA chief, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, and increased focus on food safety, it looks like regulations are getting stricter and there will be additional fees. Just yesterday, it was announced that pending legislation includes requirements that all food manufacturers write and carry out safety plans, pay an annual registration fee of $1,000 to the F.D.A. and keep track of the distribution of all food products. The F.D.A. would be required to inspect every food facility in the country at least once every four years, with high-risk ones being inspected every 18 months. Supporters of the bill state that the fees are necessary to save the food industry from expensive recalls. However, even with the increased fees, Dr. Hamburg claims this will not be enough to implement the goals of the legislation.

On the other side of the fence, Pamela G. Bailey, president of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, told the committee that the industry was concerned about the size of the proposed fees and their possible effect on the credibility of the F.D.A. “Our industry is ultimately responsible for the safety of its products,” Ms. Bailey said in a written statement, “but securing the safety of the food supply is a government function which should be largely financed with government resources.”

It will be interesting to see how this battle plays out and what legislation will actually be passed and implemented affecting not only food manufacturers, but affecting all consumers. For more information on the pending legislation, please visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/health/policy/04fda.html?ref=global-home

For more information on how Idaho Technology can help food manufacturers ensure the safety of their products, please visit us at: http://www.idahotech.com/FoodSecurity/