SAN CLEMENTE, CA--(Marketwire - September 14, 2010) - Micro Identification Technologies, Inc. (
In addition, it was recently announced that 8500 pounds of beef were recalled due to E.coli contamination. The strain of E.coli causing the contamination was a shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) known as E.coli O26 that many people believe should be classified as an adulterant (contaminant). Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Chief, Dr. Elisabeth Hagen stated to the New York Times, "If E. coli O157:H7 is an adulterant because it can kill your child, then other non-O157 STECs (like O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) that cause 36,700 illnesses, 1,100 hospitalizations and 30 deaths in America each year, should be adulterants as well." The MIT 1000 has the capability to identify bacterial strains and plans have been initiated to add the non-O157 STEC's to its ID library in 2011.
"MIT is poised to be an important contributor to reducing future food contamination events as witnessed by the numerous MIT 1000 inquiries from prospective customers following the recent egg recall due to Salmonella and the aforementioned beef recall," stated Michael Brennan, MIT's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Brennan further stated, "The MIT 1000 System's ability to conduct an ID test in under 5 minutes for less than 10 cents classifies it as both a rapid and economical ID test that may enable food processors to confirm a food contamination event before widespread distribution has occurred."
MIT plans to host a webinar later this month to provide a more detailed update of the Company's status, system and plans.
About OSI Optoelectronics:
OSI Optoelectronics designs, manufactures and markets optoelectronic products and provides electronics manufacturing services (EMS) for use in a broad range of applications for commercial, military, aerospace, industrial, healthcare and homeland security options. Their products are widely used in training and simulation systems, satellite and missile guidance systems, medical imaging and diagnostic systems, among others.
OSI Optoelectronics has over 40 years of experience in the field of optoelectronics product development and manufacturing, and have established a global network of world-class manufacturing facilities to provide extensive engineering solutions and manufacturing capabilities and services for clients worldwide.
About Micro Identification Technologies:
MIT is a California-based public company that has developed and patented a rapid microbial identification (ID) System that revolutionizes the pathogenic bacteria ID process and can annually save thousands of lives and tens of millions of dollars. The System IDs bacteria in minutes, not days, and at a significant per test cost savings when compared to any conventional method. It does not rely on chemical or biological agents, conventional processing, fluorescent tags, gas chromatography or DNA analysis. The process is totally GREEN requiring only clean water and a sample of the unknown bacteria. Revenues for all rapid testing methods exceed $5 billion annually -- with food safety accounting for over $3 billion -- having expanded at a rate of 9.2 percent annually since 1998. Current growth projections are at 30 percent annually with test demands driven by major health, safety and homeland security issues. www.micro-identification.com
MIT has demonstrated the ability to detect and identify, within several minutes, the microbes Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogenic bacteria. MIT has performed over 300 tests for the identification of the aforementioned contaminants and scored 95% accuracy. The System can currently identify 23 species of bacteria and is easily expandable. The identification process has been verified by North American Science Associates, Inc. (NAMSA), an independent, internationally recognized biological testing laboratory. The NAMSA Test Report is available from the Company and, in MIT's opinion, demonstrates the accuracy, speed and cost effectiveness of the System over conventional processes. www.namsa.com
This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are made based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to dependence on suppliers; short product life cycles and reductions in unit selling prices; delays in development or shipment of new products; lack of market acceptance of our new products or services; inability to continue to develop competitive new products and services on a timely basis; introduction of new products or services by major competitors; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; inability to expand our operations to support increased growth; and declining economic conditions, including a recession. These and other factors and risks associated with our business are discussed from time to time within our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Michael Brennan
Chairman
Email:
Telephone: (805) 557-0614