Jim Sanfilippo, a seasoned expert in food and pharmaceutical packaging with over 100 patents and 30 years of experience, is revolutionizing cannabis safety. His groundbreaking cryogenic pasteurization technology at VIST Labs tackles one of the industry’s biggest challenges: microbial contamination. This innovation is crucial for cannabis brands operating in a $35 billion market, striving to maintain product integrity while navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Sanfilippo’s journey into cannabis began after decades of success in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, where his innovations in oxygen-free packaging led to breakthroughs in shelf life and safety. Recognizing the potential of the cannabis industry, he shifted his focus in 2017, bringing his expertise to this burgeoning market.
At the heart of VIST Labs’ innovation is cryogenic pasteurization, a process that utilizes medical-grade cryogenic vapor to sterilize cannabis products while preserving their natural properties. Traditional sterilization methods like gamma radiation or ozone can damage cannabinoids and terpenes, leading to a degraded product. However, VIST’s solution offers a unique approach.
The cryogenic pasteurization process begins by placing cannabis into a cassette, holding 4-5 pounds, which is then loaded into the pasteurization machine. The chamber is prepared with cryogenic vapor, and the vapor-induced sterilization chamber (VIST chamber) is activated. Within this chamber, cryogenic vapor, produced by boiling liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit, mixes with a medical-grade atmosphere.
This vapor flood reduces oxygen levels to extremely low concentrations, effectively killing harmful microbial organisms like Aspergillus, E. coli, and Salmonella. The process takes only 90 to 150 seconds and preserves the product’s integrity by rapidly cooling it down with liquid nitrogen, preventing oxidation. Finally, the cannabis is purified with a HEPA filtration system, ensuring stability as it’s packaged in aseptic, low-oxygen conditions.
VIST Labs’ cryogenic pasteurization machines are designed for flexibility, catering to both mid-sized cultivators and large-scale operations. The modular design allows for scalability, with the ability to process up to 40 pounds of cannabis per hour. This scalability ensures that VIST’s technology can be readily adopted by a wide range of businesses, from those seeking compliance in medical markets to those aiming for export-ready, medical-grade products.
VIST’s technology goes beyond simple sterilization. It provides a fully integrated packaging solution, including aseptic packaging that meets European Pharmacopoeia standards, ensuring compliance in both domestic and international markets. This forward-thinking approach prepares cannabis brands for potential federal legalization, anticipating stricter regulations and ensuring long-term success.
VIST’s cryogenic pasteurization system tackles another major issue in the cannabis industry: THC degradation over time. Inconsistent oxygen levels in packaging can lead to mislabeled products, potentially resulting in recalls and regulatory action. VIST’s modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) solves this problem by maintaining product stability for up to a year, ensuring consistent potency and accurate labeling.
With its revolutionary cryogenic pasteurization technology and comprehensive packaging solutions, VIST Labs is poised to become a game-changer in the cannabis industry, establishing a new standard for safety, compliance, and product integrity. This innovative technology not only addresses the industry’s current challenges but also paves the way for a future where cannabis products are consistently safe and reliable, meeting the demands of a rapidly growing market.
