The bacteria, listeria can contaminate processed meats after they are packaged. The FDA-approved spray is a mix of viruses to kill the bacteria. Food companies will now be allowed to spray it on these foods prior to packaging and distribution.
This virus mix does not kill E. Coli or Salmonella, other potential deadly sources sometimes found in food.
The spray is already in the final stages for commercial use, and could be used within the next six months.
As with E. Coli, which also cannot be simply washed away by tap water, but must be killed off by boiling, the listeria bacteria cannot be rinsed away. Listeria can only be killed by cooking the food or by applying these viruses, or bacteriophages.
Annually, there are approximately 2,500 people who become seriously ill from the listeria bacterial infection and 500 or so who die from it.
Although the FDA claims that this spray is safe for humans and animals, some people question its possible adverse reactions once applied to these prepackaged foods.
A few examples of the types of foods in which the spray would be applied include hot dogs, sausage, and sliced lunchmeats, such as turkey and ham.
Listeria bacterium can be found within the soil, the water, and/or within the intestines of animals that produce food.
