BOC Helps Neptune Seafood Expand Pathogen Intervention System.

Business Editors

MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2003

BOC (NYSE: BOX) is working with Neptune Seafood to expand the ozone pathogen intervention system used to help control food-born pathogens and extend product shelf life at Neptune's Los Angeles shrimp processing plant.

Neptune originally incorporated BOC's ozone-based anti-microbial technology in May 2002 and has decided to add two additional anti-microbial ozone systems.

Hector Poon, chief operating officer, Neptune Seafood, says, "When we decided to employ an ozone-based pathogen reduction system, we turned to BOC because of their extensive experience with gases technology and pathogen control in the food industry. They provided us with a complete ozone engineered solution that enabled us to quickly and efficiently implement our pathogen reduction strategy."

The Neptune Seafood Los Angeles plant processes raw shrimp that arrive encased in ice. Upon arrival at Neptune's processing center, the shrimp are placed in thaw tanks, separated, processed and individually quick-frozen. To combat food-borne pathogens such as E. coli, listeria monocytogenes (listeria), coliforms and other spoilage organisms, BOC engineered and integrated an anti-microbial ozone system to the in-feed water supply, introducing ozone directly to the thaw tank and onto the shrimp at various stages of processing to lower the level of pathogens. Ozone-laden water is also circulated throughout the plant for use in other processes.

Mark DiMaggio, business manager, food safety products, BOC, said, "Our long history with pathogen reduction applications in seafood processing plants allowed us to custom engineer a pathogen reduction strategy for Neptune Seafood. As a result, Neptune is now able to offer its customers higher quality seafood products that are free of chemicals and lower in surface bacteria.

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 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 UV light technologies, cryogenic gases, modified atmosphere packaging, and water management services so they can deliver the highest quality food to their customers.

BOC will be demonstrating this and other offerings for the seafood industry at the International Boston Seafood Show, March 11-13 at the John B. Hynes Convention Center. For more information, visit Booth #3439.

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.