Companies Develop Technology to Reduce E. coli

AvidBiotics and Ecolab have entered into an agreement under which they will work to develop a new technology to reduce the presence of E.coli in red meat products.

The companies hope to commercialise AvidBiotics’ proprietary protein-based antibacterial technology, which can be targeted against specific bacterial pathogens.

According to the companies this approach could yield a versatile food processing aid that is non-chemical and non-toxic.

While the platform technology may be applicable to numerous food pathogens, the companies are targeting E. coli.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70,000 people are infected with E. coli each year in the US, at least 2,000 of which are hospitalised and about 60 die as a direct result of E. coli infection and its complications.