Alcide Corporation Announces No Labeling Required for Sanova Use on Red Meat.

Health/Medical Writers

REDMOND, Wash.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 13, 2001

Alcide Corporation (Nasdaq:ALCD) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended its approval of the Company's Sanova(R) antimicrobial for use on post-chill red meat primal cuts, parts and trim, to allow use without the need for supplemental labeling of the treated product.

Sanova is a safe and highly effective antimicrobial developed by Alcide to address growing concerns about food-borne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter. Extensive use in the poultry industry and through process validation in red meat processing facilities has demonstrated that Sanova consistently kills upwards of 99% of these disease-causing germs -- about the same disinfection level reported for irradiation but at a substantially lower cost to the processor and ultimately the consumer.

President and CEO Joseph A. Sasenick stated that, "This latest USDA approval facilitates introduction of Sanova to red meat slaughter and processing operations where we believe there will be a significant demand for its antimicrobial benefits to enhance the quality of ground meat and fresh sausage products, as well as on case-ready and marinated cuts.

We know of no other FDA/USDA approved process competing in these market areas."

John Richards, President of the Alcide Food Safety subsidiary, noted that, "The Sanova Food Quality System is presently used by a number of U.S. poultry companies as a pathogen control strategy to treat approximately 4.8 billion pounds of chicken on an annual basis. During the past year sales in this business segment have more than doubled. Entry into the red meat market provides an additional opportunity for growth."