The FDA has just approved the a mixture of viruses, bacteriophages, to be used to kill bacteria commonly found in foods, marking the first time that a virus has been approved as a food additive. The mixture contains strains of six different bacteriophages designed to fight Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that cause listeriosis, a disease which sickens about 2,500 people per year and kills 500. Listeriosis primarily affects pregnant women, women who have just given birth and infants, in addition to other people who have weakened immune systems for one reason or another. The bacteria is found mostly in packaged, processed meat products, so the additive will be used on cold cuts, various sausages and other "ready to eat" meat products.
The FDA imposed its strictest standards to scrutiny to this additive, developed by a company called Intralytix, and is confident that the bacteriophages are safe. The Department of Agriculture will regulate and supervise the use of the additive. A spokesman for the Office of Food Additive Safety at the FDA says that " consumers will not be aware which meat and poultry products have been treated with the spray."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-19-2006 @ 12:53PM
MJ said...
Im a little nervous about using a virus to kill another virus. How long would it take for that not to work and have another super virus to deal with. I always wash my meats and veggies before using. Even melons, a little dish soap and water and rinse. They have a cleaner on the market for veggies and fruits but its a little expensive for me. Am I insane? dont anser that LOL........
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8-19-2006 @ 1:19PM
Ryan said...
Actually, they're technically using a virus to kill a bacteria. They're two very different things. I'd rather use a virus than resort to using antibiotics. Over time bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics and then they become "super" bugs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophage
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8-19-2006 @ 4:44PM
Ted said...
And yet another reason to be a vegan!
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8-19-2006 @ 6:15PM
cybele said...
Bacteriophages are awesome!
Honestly the only thing I'd worry about is them targeting the beneficial bacteria in my gut, but as I understand the bacteriophages, they're quite specific about their hosts.
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8-20-2006 @ 2:15PM
sharon said...
Will this make raw milk safer for children to drink?
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8-21-2006 @ 8:14AM
Nicole Weston said...
Sharon - No, it will not. Milk - raw or otherwise - is not a product that will be treated with the additive at this time.
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9-05-2006 @ 8:26PM
Cathy Payne said...
You better wake up and realize that virus's mutate.
If they like your friendly intestinal bacteria (necessary for life)they will ultimately mutate then guess what.
I want people to inundate the FDA and FDA watchdogs that we the people do Not want live or dead virus's put on or in our food.
Thanks, Cathy Payne
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9-17-2006 @ 9:49PM
C. Shendren said...
I am just starting to take the drug methotrexate, and it says not to have immunizations or vaccinations and to stay away for anyone who has had a recent oral polio vaccine, and to stay away from people who are sick, since my immune system will be much lower.
Could these viruses be harmful to me?
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