Our History

1960
January 28

60,000 BC

60,000 BC

The earliest connection between bacteria and humans

dates back to ancient times where fermentation

methods were used in Ancient Egypt and Middle East.

 
1970
January 1

1908

1908

Eli Metchnikoff receives the Nobel Prize in medicine

for his work demonstrating that harmful microbes

can be replaced by beneficial microbes to treat

intestinal illnesses

1972
January 13

1919

1919

Milton P. Levy Sr. began National Disinfectant

Company offering just six products and a dream.

October 1

1930

1930

Japanese microbiologist Minoru Shirota discovered a

probiotic breakthrough where bacterial flora survived

passage through the gut after ingestion. This led to the

first drink containing probiotics called Yakult which is

still sold today.

1973
January 25

1978

1978

The NCH Corporation name was adopted as the

company expanded into new maintenance

product lines. Sales reached $200 million.

1988
January 14

1989

1989

Dr. Roy Fuller redefined the meaning of probiotic which

is now known to benefit host animals by improving

intestinal microbial balance.

1995
January 4

1995

1995

BIO-Amp™, a revolutionary bacteria generator for use

in drains, wastewater, turf and ponds, is designed.

2003
January 8

2003

2003

Widespread production and sales of the

BIO-Amp begins.

2004
January 15

2004

2004

Food chains like Panera Bread and Chipotle recently

announced removal of antibiotics in their products,

creating a shift in the restaurant industry.

2013
January 1

2013

2013

NCH Life Sciences is founded and begins probiotic

studies in the U.S.

January 16

2013

2013

U.S. FDA announces efforts to limit antibiotic use

in animals used for meat.

2015
January 1

2015

2015

Restaurant chain McDonald’s restaurants and poultry

producer Pilgrim Pride announce global plans to

reduce overall antibiotic use in their products.

2016
April 8

2016

2016

Leading restaurant chains in the United States announce

long-term plans to transition to only cage-free

egg production for menu items.

2018
March 14

2018

2018

Patent-pending ECOcharger™ is introduced,

a breakthrough in probiotic delivery.

2020
April 17

2020

2020

The United States expanded on their original

National Action Plan of encouraging antibiotic

resistance and increased the priority to combat

antibiotic resistant bacteria among humans,

plants, animals, and the environment.