Novel composite antimicrobial film could take a bite out of foodborne illnesses
A novel composite film — created by the bonding of an antimicrobial layer to conventional, clear polyethylene plastic typically used to vacuum-package foods such as meat and fish — could help to decrease foodborne illness outbreaks, according to researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Raw beef (shown here), raw chicken breast and ready-to-eat turkey breast were inoculated with pathogens then vacuum packaged with the composite antimicrobial film, sealed and placed into refrigerated storage. The composite antimicrobial film significantly reduced foodborne pathogens on the experimentally inoculated surfaces of the raw and ready-to-eat muscle foods.
The novel composite antimicrobial film stopped pathogens from growing on this ready-to-eat turkey breast.
