Company insight
Bacteriophages: A breakthrough solution
With evolving regulations and shifting consumer expectations, the industry is increasingly adopting alternative, complementary solutions to cross contamination. Phageguard is driving the adoption of phage-based interventions in mainstream processing, helping manufacturers to protect their products without sacrificing quality or safety.
ross-contamination is the unintentional transfer of harmful bacteria or microorganisms between raw materials, food products or surfaces, compromising safety. This issue is particularly critical in facilities where raw and ready-to-eat foods are processed. Pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and E. coli cause contamination and foodborne illnesses, leading to costly recalls and reputational damage.
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The persistent challenge of cross-contamination
Cross-contamination remains a significant challenge in the global food industry, contributing to the incidence of foodborne illnesses worldwide. In the US alone, foodborne pathogens cause 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalisations, and 3,000 deaths annually. The economic burden of foodborne illnesses in the US is $55.5bn, with bacterial contamination accounting for 60% of global food-related recalls. As regulatory pressures and consumer demand for safety rise, food processors urgently need to find innovative solutions.
Evolving regulatory standards for food safety
As global regulators tighten food safety standards, manufacturers must adopt solutions that are both effective and sustainable. In the US, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) empowers the FDA to enforce more rigorous preventive controls across the food supply chain, including stringent measures such as hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) protocols to prevent cross- contamination. In Europe, the EU’s General Food Law Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002) sets strict requirements for
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food safety and traceability, demanding that companies implement robust systems to prevent contamination and swiftly respond to outbreaks.
The limitations and drawbacks of current and traditional methods Traditional contamination control methods such as chemicals and heat treatments have long been standard, but chemicals affect food quality, and consumers now demand ‘clean label’ products. Heat treatments, while effective, are costly and impractical for many foods. Though still valuable, these methods no longer meet modern food safety challenges. With evolving regulations and shifting consumer expectations, the industry is increasingly adopting alternative, complementary solutions. More companies are embracing a multi-hurdle approach, supplementing traditional methods with innovative interventions like bacteriophages.
Bacteriophages: A natural, targeted solution Bacteriophages, or ‘phages’, target harmful bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli, offering precision conventional methods lack. Phages complement traditional methods such as chemicals, high-pressure processing (HPP) or thermal processing. They are a valuable component of a multi-hurdle strategy, optimising results and reducing costs while enhancing overall food safety. Phageguard provides sustainable phage-based solutions that integrate seamlessly into workflows to reduce contamination risks without any trace on the treated product.
Sustainability and long-term benefits Phages offer not only effective contamination control but also long-term
sustainability benefits, aligning with the food industry’s eco-friendly shift. Unlike chemical disinfectants, phages leave no harmful residues and reduce environmental impact. Phages provide a complementary alternative that can help reduce antibiotic pressure, supporting sustainability efforts. The WHO has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten global health threats, urging the food industry to adopt sustainable alternatives like phage-based interventions to minimise antibiotic reliance.
The future: A future-forward approach to food safety As the food industry balances safety and sustainability, phages are more relevant than ever. With precision in targeting pathogens and low environmental impact, phages are poised to play a pivotal role in food safety. Phageguard is driving the adoption of phage-based interventions in mainstream processing. Its product, Phageguard L, combats Listeria monocytogenes, helping manufacturers protect their products without sacrificing quality or safety. Beyond individual solutions, phages represent a shift in contamination control, moving from broad-spectrum chemical methods to targeted, natural interventions that align with modern food safety standards.
Conclusion
Phage-based solutions are gaining momentum, filling the need created by stricter regulations and aligning with growing consumer demand for sustainability. As these innovations become essential to modern food safety, they are poised to become a standard tool in every food processor’s arsenal. ●
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