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US food recall seen as driver for biocides

https://www.chemnet.com   Sep 21,2007 ICIS news
US biocide companies such as Arch Chemicals could see business increase as a result of food recalls, the company said.

Dole Food, the world's largest producer and marketer of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers recalled on Monday its Dole Hearts Delight packaged salad after discovering that a sample was contaminated with the bacteria E. coli.

The bacteria can cause serious illness in humans. To date, Dole said that it had received no reports of anyone that had become sick from eating the salad, and no other Dole salad products were involved.

"Our overriding concern is for consumer safety," the company said in a statement. "We are working closely with the US Food and Drug Administration, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and several US state health departments."

Arch Chemicals, a global producer of biocides, wants to expand the use of the biocide calcium hypchlorite to include fruits and vegetables. Currently, it markets the chemical mostly for use in pools and spas.

"There is a lot of opportunity out there," said Dale Walter, Arch spokesman.

The company reported in the second quarter this year sales of $82.7m (Euro59.5m) for personal care and industrial biocides.

Calcium hypochlorite is one of the most common biocides used in fresh produce, said David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology at the United Fresh Produce Association, a trade group that represents produce companies.

Other biocides include ozone, paracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite, he said.

All kill E. coli and other harmful micro-organisms that are on the surface of fruits and vegetables, Gombas said.

However, the biocides are not very effective when the micro-organisms are deeply wedged within the cracks of vegetables or if they penetrate the surface of the produce, Gombas said.

"If someone can break through that wall and find an application that will reach the hidden organisms, the industry will be banging on their door," he said.

Demand for biocides among food and beverage processors is projected grow by 4.2%/year to $274m in 2010, according to a report released in late 2006 by The Freedonia Group, a US research company.

In 2005, demand reached $223m, compared with $143m in 1995, the consulting firm said.

"Concerns about food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli have led to increased consumer awareness of the need for control and prevention of infectious diseases carried in such items as uncooked meat and poultry," the Freedonia report said.

"While fresh meat, fish and poultry generally are not treated with chemical preservatives in the manner that processed food is, food processors have responded to the consumer interest in assurances that their products are safe with such techniques as using topical preservative sprays on fish on ice in display cases," Freedonia said.

Overall US demand for biocides is projected to grow by 4.3%/year, reaching $2.6bn in 2010, Freedonia said.

Pulp and paper manufacturing and plastics production will drive demand, as well as interest in replacements for chlorine and other commodities in water treatment.

($1.00 = Euro0.72)
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