MIDDLE EAST– DuPont Nutrition & Bioscience is bringing one of its most effective and label-friendly antimicrobial systems to processed meat manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa.

Proven to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and other gram-positive bacteria, the newly launched NovaGARD NR 100-G is part of the DuPont Danisco range of antimicrobials.

Ensuring food safety in a high risk category

The threat of listeriosis – a disease caused by Listeria Monocytogenes in the Middle East is ever present as almost 90 percent of meat products sold in the region are estimated to be processed and cooked.

These ready-to-eat processed meats are in the high-risk category for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, which causes listeriosis in consumers.

Among those who contract the disease, 90 percent are hospitalized with an estimated mortality rate of 20 to 30 percent.

NovaGARD® NR 100-G however addresses this threats, keeps meat products safe and high in quality throughout shelf life.

“This game-changing technology is now accessible across parts of the Middle East, thanks to regulatory expansion of use,” says Keshav Krishnamani, regional product manager, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

“It will provide manufacturers with a higher degree of flexibility in their product formulations and an opportunity to replace chemical preservatives.”

The regional launch follows the regulatory approval of nisin for use in heat-treated processed meat by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

Saudi’s decision was triggered by the adoption of the new food category adoption in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives.

A blend of Nisin and Rosemary Extracts

NovaGARD NR 100-G is a synergistic blend of two natural ingredients – nisin A, a naturally occurring antimicrobial that has demonstrated its efficacy for more than 60 years; and rosemary extract, which has been found to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of its top flavoring attributes.

Rosemary extract has risen in popularity in food safety formulations over the last year and is featured in launches from Kemin and Naturex.

Together, the ingredients are an effective combination against gram-positive bacteria and spores. In poultry applications, for instance, the blend has been seen to protect product quality for up to twice as long.

A timely launch

For beef and poultry meat manufacturers in the MEA region, DuPont’s launch is timely. A recent research cited by DuPont projected that the meat market in the MEA will grow at a CAGR of 8 percent up to 2025.

With an effective meat preservative in place, meat processors have no worry about listeria outbreaks in future even as the market expands.

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