US Distributor Brings Anti-Listeria Phage Product to Meat and Poultry Market

LISTEX is a GRAS-approved bacteriophage product which effectively eliminates Listeria monocytogenes, without affecting the organolepetic properties of the food, such as taste, texture, odour or colour.

08/04/09 Listeria expert EBI Food Safety has established a partnership with US distributor WTI to market its unique, award-winning anti-Listeria bacteriophage LISTEX to North American meat and poultry customers.

LISTEX is a GRAS-approved bacteriophage product which effectively eliminates Listeria monocytogenes, without affecting the organolepetic properties of the food, such as taste, texture, odour or colour. Organic, safe and easy to apply, LISTEX can be used as a processing aid on a variety of Listeria-susceptible products, such as hams and hot dogs, cheese, fish and many ready-to-eat products. LISTEX can be used in compliance with the USDA’s Alternative 1 or 2 control regulations.

WTI (World Technology Ingredients) provides the food processing industry with new technology and customized clean label solutions to enhance food safety and quality. As the only US supplier for LISTEX, WTI will assume responsibility for the supply of LISTEX to the US meat and poultry market.

Dirk de Meester, EBI’s Director, Business Development, said: “Bacteriophages are the natural solution against Listeria. Rather than inhibiting outgrowth, the phages actually kill Listeria, while leaving all else unaffected. Phages are viewed as the new industry standard for targeted control of dangerous bacteria in food. For a professional presence in the US we have chosen a distributor with an exceptional track record, a strong position in the meat and poultry industry and an excellent reputation. All stand to gain from this partnership, not least the US consumer.”

Wolf Ludwig, President of WTI, said: “With decades of experience in the control of dangerous food pathogens such as Listeria, we immediately realized LISTEX was a winner. It is what the industry has been calling for. Phages are effective, natural, safe and easy to apply. We are excited to be part of a quantum leap in food safety.”

Bacteriophages are natural micro organisms, omnipresent in the world around us – but have been harnessed only recently for use to enhance food safety.  In a nutshell, phages act as a balance to keep bacteria under control, destroying only the targeted dangerous bacteria. Used in tandem with proper hygiene practices, LISTEX offers a chance for manufacturers to prevent outbreaks and minimise the risk of deadly Listeria bacteria causing a product recall or worse.

Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for almost half of all deaths caused by food pathogens – most recently in Canada during the autumn of 2008, where an outbreak resulted in the deaths of 20 people.