[Eug]

Yummy!

A mix of bacteria-killing viruses can be safely sprayed on cold cuts, hot dogs and sausages to combat common microbes that kill hundreds of people a year, federal health officials said Friday in granting the first-ever approval of viruses as a food additive.

The combination of six viruses is designed to be sprayed on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including sliced ham and turkey, said John Vazzana, president and chief executive officer of manufacturer Intralytix.

The special viruses called bacteriophages are meant to kill strains of the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, the Food and Drug Administration said in declaring it safe to use on ready-to-eat meats prior to their packaging.

The viruses are the first to win FDA approval for use as a food additive, said Andrew Zajac, of the regulatory agency's office of food additive safety.

[Mastrap]

I take my chances with basic food hygiene and a working immune system, thanks.

[loki74]

meh, I'm not gonna worry... don't bacteriophages only affect bacteria (are they capable of harming human cells?)?

At any rate, I'm with Mastrap on this one--better to just keep to good cooking/hygiene practices and whatnot.

[Visnaut]

The complete sterilization of food is making kids grow up with a deficient immune system.

If this trend continues, I plan on feeding my kids mouthfuls of dirt.