The invention relates to the field of microbiology, specifically to an antimicrobial composition comprising a first and a second bacteriophage, wherein the composition has lytic activity against E. coli O157. The invention further relates to a use of the antimicrobial composition for controlling bacterial contamination in a food- or feed environment on or in food- or feed processing equipment or food- or feed containers or in a food- or feed product.

Methods and related apparatus for providing a chemical intervention processing solution for use within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams or ancillary systems for generating the chemical intervention processing solution that can then be introduced into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form the chemical intervention processing solution. Additional actions can be conducted on the processing solution within the side stream including any and or all of heating, pumping, sampling, measuring, testing and pH adjustment of the processing solution. The chemical intervention processing solution can also be provided by a venturi injector that combines processing water and an antimicrobial agent and/or an alkaline agent outside of the processing tank. The processing solution can be used for various food processing applications.

Methods and related apparatus for providing a chemical intervention processing solution for use within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams or ancillary systems for generating the chemical intervention processing solution that can then be introduced into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form the chemical intervention processing solution. Additional actions can be conducted on the processing solution within the side stream including any and or all of heating, pumping, sampling, measuring, testing and pH adjustment of the processing solution. The chemical intervention processing solution can also be provided by a venturi injector that combines processing water and an antimicrobial agent and/or an alkaline agent outside of the processing tank. The processing solution can be used for various food processing applications.

The present invention relates to a method for the application and implantation of starter cultures in products of animal origin for curing same, which comprises: a) introducing one or more starter cultures of Staphylococcus and yeasts in a whole muscle product of animal origin by means of sprinkling, tumbling and massaging; b) subjecting said product after step a) to maturation treatment with heat and humidity to favor starter culture growth; d1) freezing the product after step b), stopping the starter culture biological activity; and d2) cutting or slicing the frozen product; and d3) subjecting cutted or sliced product to a rapid drying process for between 30 and 120 minutes; and e) packing the dried product of animal origin.

The present invention relates to a method for the application and implantation of starter cultures in products of animal origin for curing same, which comprises: a) introducing one or more starter cultures of Staphylococcus and yeasts in a whole muscle product of animal origin by means of sprinkling, tumbling and massaging; b) subjecting said product after step a) to maturation treatment with heat and humidity to favor starter culture growth; d1) freezing the product after step b), stopping the starter culture biological activity; and d2) cutting or slicing the frozen product; and d3) subjecting cutted or sliced product to a rapid drying process for between 30 and 120 minutes; and e) packing the dried product of animal origin.

Methods and devices for non-invasively assessing lethality and/or cross contamination of a process. In some embodiments, an aggregating sampler is used, such as a fixture catcher, to obtain samples before, after and/or during the process. In some embodiments, an isolated packet of bacteria is exposed to the active elements of the process without contacting the product. In other embodiments, a method to measure lethality using microgenomic analysis is reported. In still other embodiments, a procedure is reported to use the knowledge from a microgenomic process to use direct qPCR for identified genera species to measure cross contamination. These metrics have special utility in the validation of wash water performance but may have utility is assessing process performance when unpackaged product is treated as for blanching and irradiation. Process performance can include verification of process delivery or for research.

Methods and devices for non-invasively assessing lethality and/or cross contamination of a process. In some embodiments, an aggregating sampler is used, such as a fixture catcher, to obtain samples before, after and/or during the process. In some embodiments, an isolated packet of bacteria is exposed to the active elements of the process without contacting the product. In other embodiments, a method to measure lethality using microgenomic analysis is reported. In still other embodiments, a procedure is reported to use the knowledge from a microgenomic process to use direct qPCR for identified genera species to measure cross contamination. These metrics have special utility in the validation of wash water performance but may have utility is assessing process performance when unpackaged product is treated as for blanching and irradiation. Process performance can include verification of process delivery or for research.

The present invention is related to a food casing with antifungal properties comprising a coating formed by the application in at least its external surface of a water-based composition comprising at least, a film forming agent, a lipid and natamycin. The invention is also directed to the method for production of said food casing as well as to a meat product prepared by stuffing said food casing with meat or a meat emulsion.

The present invention is related to a food casing with antifungal properties comprising a coating formed by the application in at least its external surface of a water-based composition comprising at least, a film forming agent, a lipid and natamycin. The invention is also directed to the method for production of said food casing as well as to a meat product prepared by stuffing said food casing with meat or a meat emulsion.

The present invention relates to products and methods for the prevention and amelioration of bacterial contamination and degradation (spoiling) of biological material, particularly foodstuffs. In particular, the invention provides a product comprising an envelope of material defining a lumen wherein the lumen contains bacteriophage covalently attached to a surface.