A process for the preparation of fibrates of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is a halogen atom, a 2,2-dichloro-cyclopropyl group, a (4-chlorophenyul)-hydroxymethyl group, a-4-chlorobenzoyl group or a 2-(4-chlorobenzamido)-ethyl group, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group.

9-[(2-Hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine (acyclovir) dihydrate sodium salt and the process for the preparation thereof comprising the dissolution of acyclovir monosodium salt in an aqueous medium and the precipitation of the resultant dihydrate sodium salt in an organic solvent.

This invention relates to a composition of food having animal and/or vegetable origin which contains lysozyme and a chelating agent in amounts that are effective at preventing contamination of the food by Clostridium botulinum.