RF Biocidics and Al Foah Form Strategic Partnership to Market and Distribute the World’s First Radio Frequency Process for the Disinfestation of Dates

The agreement makes Al Foah, the world’s largest date producer, the exclusive representative of RF Biocidics’ technology for the disinfestation of dates in the GCC.

RF Biocidics CEO Craig Powell Forms Strategic Partnership with Al Foah (Photo: Business Wire)

VACAVILLE, Calif.--()--RF Biocidics, a food safety company that provides an environmentally friendly and chemical-free alternative for disinfection and disinfestation, formed a strategic partnership with Al Foah, the world’s largest producer of dates.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the partnership at Gulfood, one of the world’s biggest annual foodservice, hospitality and retail events, taking place in Dubai from February 23-27. Under the terms of the agreement, Al Foah will introduce, promote and market RF Biocidics’ radio frequency technology in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

RF Biocidics designed, built and installed the world’s first RF processing line for the disinfestation of dates based on research conducted by Dr. Manuel Lagunas-Solar, Chief Scientific Officer at RF Biocidics, and Dr. Alaa Y. Al Bakir, Research and Development Manager at Al Foah Company. The RF process provides an energy-efficient as well as chemical- and residue-free alternative to the current, common practice of using methyl bromide, a pesticide whose use is increasingly being restricted because of its toxicity. Date producers have been seeking chemical free options for the disinfestation of dates, which are prone to field infestation by saw-tooth and dried fruit beetles, restricting exports.

“Through our collaborations with Al Foah, RF Biocidics has been able to create a breakthrough process that will improve the efficiency and quality of date production,” said Craig Powell, Chief Executive Officer of RF Biocidics. “We are pleased to be able to expand our relationship with Al Foah with this agreement, which will bolster our efforts to share the RF technology with food producers worldwide.”

Validation of the RF disinfestation process was conducted at RF Biocidics’ headquarters in Vacaville, California, using a Sentinel 100 TO system. The University of California, Riverside supervised the entire validation procedure, analyzed the results, and provided a final assessment of efficacy. According to its report, results on these validation tests were conclusive and indicated that “the RF procedure resulted in 100 percent mortality in ALL treatments (temperatures) and ALL stages of insects.” As RF processing is applicable to a variety of similar dried fruit commodities, these results can be extrapolated to all food products of similar composition.

“Being the world’s largest date company and a pioneer in date processing and manufacturing, Al Foah continues its efforts to bring global best practices in the industry to the region,” said Dhafer Ayed Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Board of Al Foah Company.

“This MOU is in line with Al Foah’s corporate promise and commitment to improving lives through production innovation, healthier nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Since its inception, the company has strived to develop environmentally friendly solutions to help the industry grow. RF Biocidics’ radio frequency technology allows a chemical- and residue-free disinfestation of dates, which perfectly replaces the current practice of using methyl bromide. Our partnership with an international leader in food safety is a significant milestone for us. We believe there is demand for advanced disinfestation solutions in the region and we look forward to further developing and marketing this technology to food producers across the GCC countries,” Al Ahabai added.

RF Biocidics provides an alternative to how food safety is currently handled with the goal of eliminating issues before they can occur in the first place. The company offers an organic, chemical-free system for eliminating pathogens, pests and fungi from food and other commodities. Its disinfection and disinfestation system can be used in a broad range of applications, including food safety, agriculture, import/export compliance, and wood and wastewater treatment.

The RF Biocidics system achieves reliable pathogen control, high throughput efficiency, and cost-effective performance. It surpasses well beyond the requirements for food safety in the United States, and does so with minimal to no degradation of the sensory and quality characteristics of the commodity, such as the flavor, color, texture or skin integrity. RF Biocidics is a subsidiary of Allied Minds, a dedicated technology company with headquarters in Boston.

Al Foah CEO H.E. Musallam Obaid Al Ameri affirmed the company’s enduring enthusiasm in regards to its participation in the Gulfood exhibition. As one of the largest global events for the food, catering and hospitality industries, the Gulfood exhibition brings together major local, regional and international food leaders. Mr. Al Ameri further noted that Al Foah’s participation in these events is a valuable opportunity to showcase national date products produced by Emirati farmers from all over the UAE.

To even further distinguish Al Foah as a leader in the date industry, the company signed an MOU with RF Biocidics USA on the 24th of this month. The MOU introduces the world’s latest date disinfection and disinfestation technologies, making Al Foah the exclusive agent of this technology in the GCC.

Al Foah Deputy General Manager H.E. Mohammed Ghanim Al Qusaili Al Mansouri highlighted the debut of a new product at this year’s exhibition: the Date Granola, launched under the brand name YAS. The new finger-licking, crispy snack serves as a healthy and nutritious meal if served with oats. It is free of any additives, making it a 100% natural product. The company’s product display stands will feature multi-flavoured date sweets along with Date Crown products, which have been reintroduced with novelty packages, in addition to the innovative Zadina products, which comprise an assorted variety of dates that appeal to every taste.

Al Mansouri noted that the Zadina line of date products - regarded as the pride of UAE manufacturing - come in a wide variety of packs, sizes and types that suit all customer needs: such as date syrup, date paste, thermoformed packs and almond stuffed dates together with exquisite date sweets. The company stand features innovative Zadina products, which comprise a rich assortment of date varieties that leave no palate unsatisfied: including Besr juice, premium-quality date jam, caramel dates, cakes, rich truffle, and date chunks immersed in exquisite Belgian chocolate.

About RF Biocidics

RF Biocidics provides an environmentally friendly, chemical-free alternative for disinfection (pasteurization) and disinfestation of food and other commodities. This organic treatment system has a broad range of applications, including food safety, agriculture, import/export compliance, and wood and wastewater treatment. RF Biocidics designs, develops and operates treatment systems on behalf of its customers worldwide. RF Biocidics is an Allied Minds company headquartered in Vacaville, California. www.rfbiocidics.com

About Al Foah

Al Foah, the largest date company in the world, was established in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and became a member of Senaat (the General Holding Corporation- Abu Dhabi). Its headquarters are based in Al Ain City. The objective was to develop and regulate the date palm sector in the UAE. The company’s products are available in more than 44 countries worldwide & distributed under different brand names such as Al Saad, Al Dhafra, Date Crown and Zadina. More information can be found at www.alfoah.ae

About Allied Minds

Allied Minds is a dedicated technology company that deploys capital to form, fund, manage and build companies based on market-creating technologies developed at renowned U.S. universities and federal research institutions. Allied Minds serves as a diversified holding company that supports its businesses with capital, management and shared services. More information about the Boston-based company can be found at www.alliedminds.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
ArcPoint Strategic Communications
Christine Dunn, 617-484-1660, x101
cdunn@arcpointstrategy.com

Release Summary

RF Biocidics, a food safety company that provides a chemical-free alternative for disinfection and disinfestation, formed a strategic partnership with Al Foah, the world’s largest dates producer.

Contacts

Media Contact:
ArcPoint Strategic Communications
Christine Dunn, 617-484-1660, x101
cdunn@arcpointstrategy.com