Antimicrobial Absorbent Pad for Reducing Bacterial Contamination of Packaged Poultry

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The CDC has reported that each year over million Americans are affected by food contamination which results in more than hospitalizations and more than deaths A significant percentage of these incidents result from contaminated meat and poultry products which are routinely tray packaged for retail sale These tray packs almost always contain one or two absorbent pads which absorb and retain the andquot purgeandquot or the juices blood and other fluids that seep from the meats This purge is unsightly for the consumer leaks is messy and most importantly it is often contaminated with bacteria Quick Med Technologies Inc QMT Gainesville FL has developed a novel and patent pending antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer SAP based on our proprietary sequestered hydrogen peroxide HP technology known as Stay Fresh r QMT will prepare prototype absorbent pads containing the Stay Fresh superabsorbent antimicrobial at various concentrations The prototype pads will be extensively characterized for antimicrobial performance and a nationally recognized food safety laboratory will assist in evaluation of actual shelf life and microbial content of meats packaged using the antimicrobial absorbent pads Hydrogen peroxide is favored in many applications because its breakdown products water and oxygen are innocuous and it tends to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity This represents a andquot leap aheadandquot technology that will not only improve food safety and public health but the small incremental costs andlt of the total packaging costs will be more than offset by the extended shelf life of the product The favorable economics of this innovation will help drive rapid commercialization PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Food poisoning caused by bacteria in meat and poultry sickens or even kills many people each year By incorporating Hydrogen Peroxide in a dry highly absorbent form into the pads used to soak up the juice in foam supermarket meat trays we can eliminate bacteria and ensure safe and healthy food for everyone Hydrogen peroxide is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to the use of toxic chemicals