I prefer the trap guard over a trap primer. It also works as a very accessible backwater valve. Unfortunately, the device is not listed under ASSE 1018 or ASSE 1044 (IPC 1002.4), so as VP said, not directly approved by either the 2006 or 2009 IPC. The mostly irrelevant Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers specifically disallows them, but they only inspect schools, state construction projects, and remote areas without their own building departments. Many local AHJs do allow them. The local rep for the product, while he would prefer code approval, seems to do quite well selling them in the after-the-CO market to people who want something that actually works and does not require below floor work.
I agree that food service, or any other drain expecting to see a higher "grunge-to-water" ratio is a poor choice. However, those drains are probably not the type to dry out all the time anyway.