Where the Science of Food Safety is a Way of Life

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Charm Sciences Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation and Food Safety Leadership

Lawrence, MA – Last evening, Charm Sciences of Lawrence celebrated 40 years as the leading global developer and supplier of food safety tests. Charm’s tests are used in more than 100 countries around the globe to help food suppliers meet international standards and protect against the overuse of antibiotics.

Employee 40th Anniversary Celebration, February 15, 2018, Leadership Team: (LtoR) Bob Salter, Bob Markovsky, Dr. Stanley Charm, Meikel Brewster, Shirley Charm, David Legg, Grace Chen, Rick Skiffington, Steve Holmes.

In the United States alone, over 95% of all dairies utilize a Charm test method today. Over 75% of all raw milk in the world is tested using a Charm system. Since the company revolutionized the food safety industry 40 years ago, it has accomplished a wide array of industry firsts:

  • In 1978, Charm developed the first 15-minute rapid antibiotic test, empowering the industry to stop residue contamination before it entered the milk supply, and changing the dynamic be-tween the buyers and sellers of milk.
  • In 1997 came the development of one of the first self-contained sanitation hygiene testing kits and equipment, featuring increased sensitivity to protect plants from recalls.
  • In 1998, Charm developed the first one-step assay for the detection of antibiotics in milk, ROSA.
  • In 1999, Charm received EPA approval for the Ecolite drinking water test. Ecolite is the only drinking water test featuring a built-in bactericide allowing safe field testing and disposal.
  • In 2010, Charm followed ROSA with the first combined (simultaneous) incubator/reader called the EZ system, achieving antibiotic regulatory approvals throughout the world.
  • The first lateral flow quantitative test for mycotoxins in feed and grain was developed in 2006 by Charm. Combined with WET—Water Extraction Technology—in 2012, the feed and grain industry was revolutionized.
  • In 2013, Charm further expanded its portfolio of easy-to-use water tests with the only EPA-approved ready-to use commercial kit for Coliphage, a viral indicator of fecal contamination with correlation to enteric diseases caused by waters.
  • Most recently, Charm launched the Peel Plate microbiological test in 2016. This takes a traditional microbiological medium and aseptically embeds it into a modern ready-to-use format. Customers simply add their sample and incubate and retain traditional microbial test results allowing follow up analysis by picking/and isolating bacterial colonies. Peel Plate has been rapidly validated by third party bodies and accepted to meet dairy test requirements regulated by FDA and the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments.

Charm Advertisement circa 1981 for the first rapid antibiotic test using Charm I.

Known for its reputation for accuracy and reliability, Charm is approved and validated by gov-ernments, independent authorities, and organizations world-wide. Approvals include USDA, FDA and EPA in the United States, ILVO in Belgium, SAG in China, and the independent organiza-tions ISO and AOAC among others. By gaining the trust of governments and industry leaders, Charm has been able to develop a myriad of custom tests to meet specific and rigorous regional regulations and demands. Dr. Stanley Charm, President, and Shirley Charm founded Charm Sciences in 1978. Today, Charm’s tests are approved for sale in over 100 countries around the world. Unique to Charm, all products and equipment are the result of in-house research and development, in-house manu-facturing, and a dedicated team of life-long employees. The innovative company is supported by global offices in France, Ghana, Thailand, and Netherlands. Charm plans to extend its celebration of 40 years throughout 2018 to include the release of new and important advances in all aspects of food safety during the year.

About Charm Sciences

Established in 1978 in Greater Boston, Charm Sciences helps protect consumers, manufacturers, and global brands from a variety of issues through the development of food safety, water quality, and environmental diagnostics tests and equipment. Selling directly and through its network of distributors, Charm’s products serve the dairy, feed and grain, food and beverage, water, healthcare, environmental, and industrial markets in more than 100 countries around the globe. http://charmdev-websitetestlink.charm.com