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Biosecur announces natural antimicrobial/preservative

Canadian company Biosecur Lab has launched FOODGARD, a natural antimicrobial and preservative for use in food. The culmination of four years of research, development and testing, FOODGARD is claimed to provide a proven clean label alternative to chemical preservatives. The development process was facilitated by Dr. Dieter Elsser-Gravesen, who heads up ISI Food Protection in […]

Canadian company Biosecur Lab has launched FOODGARD, a natural antimicrobial and preservative for use in food.

The culmination of four years of research, development and testing, FOODGARD is claimed to provide a proven clean label alternative to chemical preservatives. The development process was facilitated by Dr. Dieter Elsser-Gravesen, who heads up ISI Food Protection in Denmark and conducted extensive testing of the FOODGARD formulation.

“Lab tests confirm that FOODGARD is highly effective as an antimicrobial and preservative, making it a must to integrate in many food systems,” said Elsser-Gravesen.

FOODGARD’s efficacy is further supported by a study undertaken by Research Laboratories in Sciences, Applied to Food of INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier in Canada, which has completed extensive in vitro and In situ tests on FOODGARD against gram (–) and gram (+) bacteria, total aerobic microflora and yeasts/moulds in comparison with sodium benzoate.

“In vitro results show that FOODGARD is 10 to 1000 times more efficient than sodium benzoate against eight tested pathogens (Gram (+), Gram (-), yeasts and moulds,” said Monique Lacroix, Professor at INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier. “It is the first time in my career that I have witnessed a natural compound eliminate as much pathogenic bacteria, yeast and mould even when it is used in very low dosage.”.

On June 26, 2015 Biosecur Lab received FDA-GRAS status for FOODGARD, described as a “citrus extract” for use as an antimicrobial and preservative in all non-standardised food categories. This approval was significant, says the company, in that it confirms that FOODGARD is safe for human consumption, providing a chemical-free, ‘clean label’ alternative for use by food manufacturers and processors.