bioMérieux Gains International Approval for its Automated Solution: VIDAS® Easy Salmonella

bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, today announced that its VIDAS® Easy Salmonella (SLM), an automated test for the detection of Salmonella species, has been granted Official Methods of Analysis (OMA) approval by AOAC INTERNATIONAL on a wide variety of food products. This level of certification assures VIDAS® Easy SLM users that the test meets stringent AOAC standards for excellence in pathogen detection.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is an independent, not-for-profit association committed to providing and facilitating the development, use and harmonization of validated analytical methods and laboratory quality assurance programs and services. AOAC Official MethodsSM are accepted and recognized worldwide.

“bioMérieux continues to maintain its focus on scientific initiatives to improve performance, speed and workflow for rapid pathogen detection,” said Stan Bailey, Ph.D., director of scientific affairs for bioMérieux Industry. “This recognition is a result of our ongoing commitment to helping food manufacturers and processors ensure the safety of their food products and avoid unnecessary foodborne illness.”

VIDAS® Easy SLM boasts a new, simplified protocol using a proprietary enrichment media to help streamline the workflow of the food testing laboratory. The VIDAS® Easy SLM provides significant savings in media, ancillary materials and labor time.

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common intestinal infections worldwide (Salmonellosis). In the United States alone it is implicated in more than one million cases of foodborne illness annually, according to a 2011 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these cases, approximately 20,000 result in hospitalization and 378 result in death.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

About bioMérieux Food Safety

bioMérieux has been a global leader in providing innovative solutions to address food safety testing issues for more than 20 years. bioMérieux's food safety focus encompasses prevention, detection, and quality assurance. The company offers extensive global resources and local expertise in microbiology and food safety, driven by cutting-edge research and science to bring powerful new tools to the food industry. bioMérieux's food testing solutions, including prepared culture media, VIDAS®, TEMPO®, BacT/ALERT®, VITEK® 2 and DiversiLab®, reflect its commitment to improving public health through a safe and nutritious food supply accessible globally. To learn more about food safety and quality solutions from bioMérieux, visit www.biomerieux-usa.com or call 1-800-634-7656.

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 45 years, bioMérieux is present in more than150 countries through 39 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2010, revenues reached €1.357 billion with 87% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cancer screening and monitoring and cardiovascular emergencies. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

bioMérieux is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris market (Symbol: BIM – ISIN: FR0010096479).

Other information can be found at www.biomerieux.com.

Contacts

bioMerieux
Allan Mohess
Tel: + 1 919 479-3639
allan.mohess@biomerieux.com

Pure Communications
Kathryn Cook
Tel: 1 910 509-3976
kathryn@purecommunicationsinc.com