Micro Identification Technologies, Inc. announced today that its MIT 1000 System remains on track to begin production later this year. According to the press release, critical sub-system electronics have been successfully tested and the remaining tasks present no additional challenges for MIT and its contract manufacturer, OSI Optoelectronics, a subsidiary of OSI Systems (NASDAQ: OSIS).
In the release, the company also noted that 8,500 pounds of beef were recently 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 various bacterial strains and will have the non-O157 STEC’s added 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 also announced plans to host a webinar later this month to provide a more detailed update of its current status, system and plans.
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