January 29, 2010

Elanco launches new beef safety products

Elanco Food Solutions has introduced two new food safety products for the beef processing industry.

Finalyse, a mixture of bacteriophages that specifically target E. coli pathogens, is the first pre-harvest hide wash applied as a solution to live cattle in the holding area before cattle enter a slaughter facility.

Research conducted at multiple locations showed that Finalyse reduces the E. coli burden on the hide and decreases trim-positive rates, according to Elanco Food Solutions.

Cattle hides are primary reservoirs for E. coli and Finalyse can help reduce the amount of E. coli on hides, thus reducing pathogen loads entering the packing facility, said Tom Nicholson, director of sales and technical services for Elanco Food Solutions.

BoviBrom is a post-harvest antimicrobial carcass rinse that reduces E. coli and salmonella pathogens on the carcass during processing. It dissolves in water to form hypobromous acid, a widely used compound, and has a mode of action that complements both pH- and heat-based pathogen interventions.

When used according to label directions, diluted BoviBrom forms a near-neutral (6.8) pH solution in water that is safe for workers, plant equipment and the environment.

BoviBrom is less corrosive to plant equipment and floors than current interventions, and there are no acid, steam or odour issues, and there is no meat discolouration or carcass damage associated with commonly used high-temperature washes, said Nicholson. The BoviBrom Application System also easily integrates into high-volume water processes, and configures to existing spray-wash systems with minimal installation, maintenance and space requirements.