Now viruses will be sprayed on those of your favorite cold cuts, hot dogs and sausages! A combination of six viruses will not do the job of combating the common microbes that kill hundreds of people a year.
The bacteria-killing virus-mix is designed to be sprayed on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, which include sliced ham and turkey, according to John Vazzana, president and chief executive officer of manufacturer Intralytix Inc.
Called bacteriophages, the viruses are meant to kill strains of the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. The Food and Drug Administration has approved these for the first time for use as a food additive.
