Part of the problem or the solution? Indiscriminate use of bacteriophages in the food industry can reduce their potential and impair growth-based detection methods

• Published in: Trends in food science & technology 2019-08, Vol.90, p.170-174
• Main Authors: Fister, Susanne, Mester, Patrick, Witte, Anna Kristina, Sommer, Julia, Schoder, Dagmar, Rossmanith, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Bacteria; Bacteriophage; Detection; Disinfectants; Food consumption; Food contamination; Food contamination & poisoning; Food industry; Food processing; Food processing industry; Food production; Inhibition; Phages; Resistance
• ISSN: 0924-2244; 1879-3053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.02.031

Bacteriophages are increasingly used as alternatives to conventional antibiotics, although very limited data is available in respect of consequences within the plant and for monitoring processes. This commentary provides a critical view on the use of phages in food production processes and summarises possible disadvantages and problems which can arise. Further, prevention strategies and proposals for future handling and detection are discussed. Indiscriminate use of phages is not innocuous and can drastically reduce the potential of phages as an alternative class of anti-bacterial agent. It is important to avoid the development of phage-resistant bacteria, inhibition in standard microbiological monitoring, phage-spread and possibly the consumption of contaminated food. This could be expedited by a declaration of phage-treated food and the application of alternative detection methods for both, food-borne bacteria and applied phages. Additionally, use and development of new disinfectants effective against phages and awareness of the consequences of habitual use of phage products should ensure their future as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Overview of potential risks of phage application in food production plants. [Display omitted] •Awareness of the consequences of phage use is important.•Indiscriminate use of bacteriophages can lead to long-term problems.•Phage use can lead to resistances, phage contaminations and inhibition of detection.•A declaration of phage used in food would be helpful.•Need for alternative detection methods and phage removal systems.