Canadians Develop Food Packaging That Kills E coli and Listeria
Researchers at Sentinel Bioactive Paper in Ontario have developed a bacteria-killing food packaging material that may prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks.
Hany Anany and Mansel Griffiths, from the University of Guelph, applied phages, which are harmless viruses that can kill bacteria, to cellulose packaging material. Both the U.S. FDA and Health Canada have approved phages as safe food additives in certain foods.
The researchers wrapped ready-to-eat meats tainted with E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes in the packaging and found that it killed the bacteria. The method works at refrigerated temperatures, where Listeria thrives, and in vacuum packaging. The process is described in a paper published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
The researchers are hopeful that the technology will prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks such as the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, which has sickened more than 123 people and killed 25 since the end of July.
Foodborne illness is a serious public health threat that affetcts millions of Americans every year. In the last month alone, three companies have recalled a total of almost 600,000 pounds of ground beef possibly tainted with E. coli O157:H7. Commercial Meat Company of Los Angeles recalled 400,000 pounds, Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. of Emporia Kansas recalled 131,000 pounds and Palo Duro Meat of Amarillo, Texas recalled 40,000 pounds.
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