BOC's ozone technology centerpiece of Fresh Mark's pathogen reduction program.

Business Editors

MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2003

Fresh Mark of Ohio has selected BOC's ozone technology as a centerpiece for the pathogen reduction program at its Canton, Ohio meat processing plant.

To reduce bacteria and control listeria and other pathogens, Fresh Mark, a family-owned business known for its Superiors Brand and Sugardale wieners, hams, bacon, smoked sausage and deli meats, installed two BOC ozone systems.

The systems include an on-site generator that produces ozone from ambient air, dissolves it in the plant's process water and disperses it through a spray system directly onto unpeeled wieners and some food processing equipment such as slicing logs.

Ed Ater, a Canton, Ohio-based food processing expert and consultant to BOC, says, "The benefits of ozone - improved pathogen control and extended product shelf life -- are well-established. It's no longer a question of if a food processor should adopt ozone in its pathogen reduction program, but when - and which system. BOC's ozone system is the most reliable and effective technology of its kind on the market."

Mark DiMaggio, business manager, food safety products, BOC, says, "BOC has served the food processing industry for more than 40 years. That experience has enabled us to design an easy-to-install, easy-to-operate, reliable ozone wash system that integrates seamlessly with food processing operations, allows plants to incorporate a validated anti-microbial process into their HACCP plan and the System pays for itself several times over in extended product shelf life."

Food processors look to BOC for the engineered solutions they need to achieve total process control in their plants. BOC uses the best available services and technologies to help customers address all of their atmosphere, microbe and temperature control needs. Customers benefit from BOC's experience and expertise in providing a range of custom offerings, such as ozone and U/V light technologies, cryogenic gases, modified atmosphere packaging, and water management services so they can deliver the highest quality food to their customers.

The BOC Group (NYSE:BOX), the worldwide industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services company, serves two million customers in more than 50 countries. It employs 46,000 people and had annual sales of some $6 billion in 2002. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the Internet at http://www.boc.com.