In Response to Al-Qaeda's Threat of Ricin in the Food Supply, Universal Detection Technology Makes Its Ricin Detection Equipment
December 22 2010 - 7:00AM
Marketwired
Universal Detection Technology
(www.udetection.com) (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning
monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and
other infectious health threats, and provider of counter-terrorism
consulting and training services, reported today that it has made
its detection equipment available to the food service and
hospitality industry in response to Al-Qaeda's threat to poison
food and salad bars with ricin toxin.
According to officials, the Al-Qaeda group that built two
toner-cartridge bombs in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up planes
in October also has contemplated spreading poisons, such as ricin
and cyanide, on salad bars and buffets at U.S. hotels and
restaurants. Susan Ford, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at
St. John's University said that initially, the effect of ingesting
poison in this manner could "look very much like food poisoning."
CBS also quoted former Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff as
saying that, based on this threat, it's important to tell public
health officials that what looks like food poisoning could be the
result of a terror attack.
Ricin is a toxin that can be made from the waste left over from
processing castor beans. It is one of the most toxic and easily
produced plant toxins. As little as 500 micrograms of ricin could
be enough to kill an adult; some animal research indicates that
similar amounts could be lethal, if inhaled. Ricin has been used in
the past as a biological weapon and remains a serious threat.
UNDT's ricin detection equipment has been designed to detect trace
amounts of ricin in as little as 3 minutes. UNDT also supplies
these kits in first responders throughout the country as well as
internationally.
"The threat from Al-Qaeda to poison food and salad bars is very
alarming," said Jacques Tizabi, CEO of Universal Detection
Technology. "In response to this threat, we have made our equipment
available to the Food Service industry in addition to our existing
user base which is traditionally first responders and the
military," continued Tizabi.
For more information, please visit www.udetection.com or email
info@udetection.com.
About Universal Detection Technology
Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring
technologies, including bioterrorism detection devices. The Company
on its own and with development partners is positioned to
capitalize on opportunities related to Homeland Security. For
example, the Company has developed a bacterial spore detector that
detects certain biohazard substances. The Company is also a
reseller of handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism
agents, radiation detection systems, and antimicrobial products.
For more information, please visit www.udetection.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the
statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause
the Company's actual results, performance and achievement in the
future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance,
and achievement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking
statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or
expectations.
Company Contact: Jacques Tizabi 310-248-3655 Email
Contact