Trials begin for FDA-approved PURE Control

PURE Bioscience, Inc., creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, has provided an update on the commercialization efforts of FDA-approved PURE Control as a food safety solution for produce processors. PURE Control can be applied as a spray or dip on produce intended for processing.

PURE Control is being used by a fresh produce processor to complete pilot plant validation and optimization trials. This processor is testing the use of PURE Control as a new processing step for added protection. The pathogen reduction results from these trials exceeded the processor’s goals, according to PURE Bioscience. After completion of pilot plant testing and process validation, the next step for the processor will be to move into an operating facility for online trials, expected in calendar Q4.

At this time, three additional processors of fresh and/or frozen produce have begun their own PURE Control use trials. Produce and fruit processors are already using its SDC-based PURE Hard Surface disinfectant for environmental sanitation.

PURE Control is a highly effective solution to reduce pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, according to PURE Bioscience. The trial work validated by one of the produce processors using PURE Control has been summarized in a recent Technical Bulletin (Treatment of Celery with PURE Control) published by PURE. PURE Control was applied to celery to reduce E. coli, coliforms, yeast & mold and Lactic Acid Bacteria and achieved a dramatic 3.74 Log CFU/g reduction in bacteria counts (the industry views a 1.0+ Log reduction as highly effective).

Hank R. Lambert, CEO of PURE Bioscience, said, “We stand on the threshold of commercializing PURE Control in the +$300 million US produce processing aid market. We are gratified – not only by the meaningful results achieved by our first fresh produce processing user validation – but also by the respective pathogen reductions being achieved by the additional produce processors. When compared with the toxic processing aids used in the market today, PURE Control is a highly effective pathogen solution with superior effectiveness and lower toxicity.”