As more and more food products are produced on a large industrial scale and distributed over extensive geographic areas, the concerns regarding quality and food safety throughout the shelf life of the product have become more and more critical. Effective control of bacterial growth is a constant concern due to the risk of spoilage and food-borne disease. The federal government continually estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur each year in the U.S. alone, resulting in 300,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths annually. The populations most at risk are the very young, those who have a chronic illness, and those with damaged immune systems. Bacterial pathogens are the most commonly identified cause of food-borne illness. Some of these pathogens include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Clostridium, Escherichia and Staphylococus. Deaths have occurred due to bacterial pathogens, with Salmonella and Listeria topping the list. Lauric arginate is a novel antimicrobial compound derivative of lauric acid, L-arginine and ethanol, all naturally occurring substances. The molecule was first synthesized by the CSIC (Higher Council of Scientific Research) in Barcelona in 1984. It was then patented and commercialized by the Vedeqsa Lamirsa Group and distributed in the U.S. through A&B Ingredients. Its most notable features are: . Broad spectrum of antimicrobial efficacy; . High partition coefficient (>10), means the product concentrates in the water phase of products, where most bacterial action occurs; . Activity over a wide pH range (3 to 7); . Safe ingredient: LAE is hydrolyzed in the human body by chemical and metabolic pathways, which quickly break the molecule into its natural components; . GRAS Status: Granted by a panel of FDA experts in the U.S. through scientific procedures set forth under 21 CFR §170.30(b)