|
|
|
|
|
CEOCFO CEOCFO Monthly Analyst |
Providing Solutions
Healthcare James L. Herbert Interview conducted by: Ceocfointerviews: Neogen’s
products cover many areas, including food safety, animal safety and life science. Please
talk a bit about your different product areas. Mr. Herbert: The overall mission of Neogen is to provide
solutions for both food and animal safety. The company is divided into two synergistic
divisions, food safety and animal safety. This structure recognizes that the safety of the
food on our plates is heavily influenced by the health of food-producing animals on the
farm, as well as safe processing and handling after it leaves the farm. This safety link
has been emphasized with Europe’s much-publicized outbreaks of “mad cow”
and foot and mouth diseases. To ensure the safety of our food, we supply disposable
diagnostic test kits that can be used to detect harmful organisms or disease-causing
agents that can be found throughout the food system. Our tests are easy to use, rapid,
inexpensive, and accurate. Our animal safety division also markets a complete line of
diagnostics for animals, as well as veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals and
nutritional supplements. Our life sciences group operates under our animal safety
umbrella. The group offers tests to detect abused drugs, as well as tests and reagents for
the research and diagnostic industries. Ceocfointerviews:
Does Neogen have a test for mad cow disease? Mr. Herbert: We don't. There really isn't one other than a
postmortem test, which isn’t much help to ranchers. Mad cow is an example of a
problem that ties food and animal safety together. The areas that we do attack more
vigorously are pathogenic food bacteria that can originate on the farm, and have the
potential to make it all the way to our dinner plates, such as Salmonella. We have tests
that diagnose the presence of Salmonella, and other food-borne bacteria, anywhere along
the food supply chain. Ceocfointerviews:
What did the acquisition of Gene-Trak bring to the table as far as new products and
offerings? To receive a complete copy of this interview call: 570-839-0236 |
