Germwashing! (Israelis saving the world, again)

From Times of Israel:

Consumers in the U.S. and Europe could soon benefit from the fruits of an Israeli technology that can prevent microbacterial infestation of foods and beverages. Ness Ziona-based Oplon has signed an agreement with a large multinational food manufacturer for the development of packaging materials based on Oplon’s technology. The 3-year deal is worth $8 million, not including royalties that may accrue based on the products developed, the company said.

Oplon specializes in the development of materials that ward off the growth of bacteria on surfaces. The coatings use a special set of molecules that create an electrical charge, zapping bacteria. According to Oplon, the packaging can keep food germ-free for days — and even weeks — without refrigeration or preservatives. An open container of milk, the company says, will keep for 30 days without refrigeration, with regular pasteurized milk capable of having the shelf life and attributes of UHT milk. Water stored in Oplon containers will be disinfected, even if it is drawn from contaminated sources.

Oh, it disinfects water? It might just happen to save thousands of lives for people who do not have reliable access to clean water, especially after natural disasters?

It gets better:

Besides food storage, Oplon is developing its materials for medical use. Patches, catheters and tubes made out of Oplon-developed material have the potential to significantly reduce infections in hospitals, and they are able to act effectively even against highly resistant strains of bacteria, like MRSA. Applied to agriculture, Oplon materials can be used to prevent rot in seeds or crops, and prevent the spread of disease in fields. Oplon has even developed a treatment for acne, which, when applied, kills the germs that cause pimples and rejuvenates the skin – showing results within hours, the company says.

It's merely a cheap, generalized way to destroy all bacteria. That's sort of huge. But of course Israeli researchers spend their lives working on these types of things in order to distract the world from their crimes, you know, by building houses on empty land and targeting people who are trying to kill them, which are of course grave violations of international law.

This is nothing but germwashing.

(h/t Mike)