First phage for food safety approved

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved Listex P100 as a processing aid against Listeria monocytogenes, making Listex the first phage for product safety approved in Australia and New Zealand. The phage is produced by Dutch company Micreos.

According to FSANZ’s approval report:

• The safety assessment did not identify any public health and safety concerns associated with using Listex P100 to treat food.
• It is effective at reducing levels of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of solid RTE foods evaluated.
• There is no appreciable ongoing technological function when it is applied to the surface of various solid RTE foods, therefore it fits into the category of processing aids. This is consistent with international approaches.
• There were no measures that would be more cost effective than Listex P100.

“FSANZ’s decision marks an important step in the acceptance and appreciation of phage technology,” said Mark Offerhaus, CEO of Micreos. “The review process was thorough, transparent and involved all stakeholders; an example of how new - and suitable - technology should be brought to market.”

Following approvals in the USA, Canada and the Netherlands, Micreos applied for approval of Listex in Australia and New Zealand. Easy to apply, Listex is sprayed onto the surface of food products during processing, killing Listeria without any sensory or other effects.