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Safe Alternative to Metabisulphite for Prawns
(UNITED KINGDOM, 3/3/2010)
The Scottish company XyRex© is embarking upon a campaign to raise awareness amongst fishing skippers who are still using the traditional application of sodium metabisulphite of the potential health benefits for crew in applying more modern and effective alternatives.
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| Prawns treated with Prawnfresh© |
John Davis, the managing director of XyRex©, manufacturer of the first liquid based, sulphite free Prawnfresh© treatment, says he is heartened by the number of skippers and processors who are now moving away from sodium metabisulphite to more modern and effective alternatives. However, there are still a number of operators who continue to use metabisulphite, which is an area for concern, he says.
Prawn skippers and shellfish processors have long used sodium metabisulphite as a treatment to prevent blackspot in prawns, which is a natural process that discolours the shell after capture. Although blackspot is harmless, it does affect the appearance of prawns, which in turn can make selling difficult, therefore increasing the reject rate.
Sodium metabisulphite is corrosive and can cause serious and expensive damage to equipment on fishing vessels and processing factories. There is also well-documented evidence that it is hazardous to the health of crewmen and processing workers because the Sulphur Dioxide fumes released during treatment can harm airways and lungs.
“Research has shown that metabisulphite can cause asthma attacks and trigger allergic reactions in workers using the product. Fortunately, modern technology has allowed the creation of alternatives that are safe to use and also more effective in their treatment”, says Davis.
However, he welcomes the increasing numbers of skippers and seafood processors who are now beginning to switch to sulphite free alternatives, which are safe to use, provide a better quality product with longer shelf life, and do not cause corrosion to valuable equipment. More educated buyers are creating the demand for the use of safer alternatives, Davis concluded.
About XyRex©
XyRex© products are an effective value enhancement solution in the seafood industry. XyRex© Ltd helps to enhance catch values by an average 20 percent and increase in shelf life by up to 80 percent by controlling the three degradation factors on seafood, namely, bacterial degradation, enzymatic action and chemical oxidation.
XyRex© liquid technology is designed for use in wash water, process water and in ice on all types of fishing boats and processors. The company has developed a range of products for each sector.
XyRex© Prawn-Fresh™ is the first liquid based, sulphite free, value enhancing solution for sea and fresh water prawns to control black-spot or melanocis, with up to extra 30 percent shelf life over sulphite based products with no taste, colour or odour alteration. Being a liquid removes the problems caused by traditional powder based treatments when not properly disolved.
Information of the company:
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Address:
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65 Rodney Street
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City:
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Glasgow
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State/ZIP:
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Scotland (G4 9SQ)
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Country:
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United Kingdom
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Phone:
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+44 (0) 870 402 0660
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Fax:
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+44 (0) 870 161 0104
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E-Mail:
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info@xyrex.co.uk
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