Food Standards Australia / New Zealand gives approval to Salmonelex

Food Standards Australia / New Zealand (FSANZ) has given its approval to Salmonelex as a processing aid against Salmonella.

Salmonelex is the second phage product to secure approval in Australia and New Zealand following Listex against Listeria monocytogenes.

Salmonelex is produced by the Netherlands-based phage technology provider Micreos.

In the final approval report, FSANZ stated: "The use of Salmonella phages to treat raw meat and raw poultry meat will reduce the exposure of the community to Salmonella from these foods, resulting in less illness.

"This will reduce the burden on government to treat illnesses associated with salmonellosis."

Salmonella is one of the chief sources of foodborne illness. It is mostly found in fresh meat and poultry.

Salmonelex when sprayed on the surface kills Salmonella without any sensory effects. It is also certified as organic. As Salmonelex is a processing-aid, it does not require labeling.

Salmonelex has also secured approval in US.