USA – INNEO, a food processing aid made to eliminate Listeria monocytogenes, has received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The technology, developed by Canadian biotechnology company Innodal, uses antimicrobial peptides to eliminate the harmful pathogen. With this approval, Innodal is set to launch industrial-scale projects with U.S. processing companies, marking its entry into the U.S. market.
INNEO, Innodal’s flagship product, has been commercialized in Canada for four years and will now be available to the U.S. market. Designed to target Listeria monocytogenes, INNEO has proven significantly more effective than traditional chemical treatments in industry trials, particularly against strains that have led to major recalls in North America, said Innodal.
Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for around 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths annually in the U.S alone. Its ability to thrive in refrigerated environments and survive in food processing facilities poses a constant challenge to food safety.
Its high mortality rate, particularly among vulnerable populations, makes the elimination of Listeria from food products crucial for public health and preventing costly recalls.
Laurent Dallaire, CEO and co-founder at Innodal, said, “Achieving GRAS status for INNEO reinforces our commitment to innovation and food safety. This official recognition now allows American food processors to use Inneo in full compliance with FDA regulations, opening new possibilities. We are convinced that this new step will contribute to improving the quality and safety of food products globally.”
With its antimicrobial action, INNEO enhances the safety of ready-to-eat foods, thereby reducing public health risks associated with Listeria contamination, said Innodal.
This clean label, natural solution preserves the taste, color and texture of food, according to the company. As a recognized processing aid, INNEO can be used by food processors without requiring ingredient label updates.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said the listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat products has become America’s largest since 2011.
The Sarasota, Florida-based company said it will also permanently discontinue production of liverwurst, the product that was linked to the deaths of at least nine people and hospitalizations of about 50 others in 18 states.
Boar’s Head said an internal investigation at its Jarratt, Virginia, plant found that the contamination was the result of a specific production process. The process only existed at the Jarratt plant and was only used for liverwurst, the company said.
The Jarratt plant hasn’t been operational since late July, when Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meats and other products after tests confirmed listeria bacteria in its products was making people sick.
