An antimicrobial concentrate is manufactured from a carrier, one or more antimicrobial
agents and optionally one or more modifiers, the carrier having a modified ethylene
polymer and optionally an olefin polymer and a method of producing the concentrate
by producing the carrier, having the modified ethylene polymer and optionally the
olefin polymer, then compounding the carrier with one or more antimicrobial agents
and optionally one or more modifiers, to form the concentrate, which does not exhibit
chalking and clumping of antimicrobial agent on the surface thereof. An antimicrobial
blend that is manufactured from the antimicrobial concentrate, a resin and optionally
an additive and a method of producing the blend by combining the concentrate with
the resin. An antimicrobial product that is formed by producing a blend, then molding
or extruding the blend to form the product, which provides desired antimicrobial
efficacy and does not exhibit taste and odor issues associated with food and liquids
meant for human consumption, due to leaching of the antimicrobial agent from the
surface of the polymeric matrix.