Purac welcomes the positive EFSA opinion on the use of lactic acid for beef decontamination
22 August 2011. Back
to overview
The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) panel on
Biological Hazards has recently published its scientific opinion on
the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of lactic acid for
surface decontamination of beef carcasses, cuts and
trimmings.
The panel concluded that treatments for decontamination of beef
surfaces consisting of using 2-5% lactic acid, applied either by
spraying or misting, are safe. Several studies were evaluated that
reported significant reductions in microbial loads (e.g. E. coli)
compared to water treated or untreated carcasses.
Although EC Regulation No 853/2004 allows the use of
decontamination as a supplement to good hygiene practice, at this
time no treatments are authorized by the European Commission with
the exception of potable water. Recent outbreaks of dangerous
Shiga-toxin producing non-O157 STEC/EHEC strains have again
emphasized the need for additional interventions throughout the
food chain.
"Our PURAC® portfolio is effective against E. coli when
decontaminating surfaces of fresh meat. These natural
anti-microbials have proven themselves in the beef industry by
having been successfully used for decades as part of multiple
hurdle systems. Purac sees the positive opinion of the EFSA panel
as an important step forward in European Commission efforts to
combat various food-borne pathogens." said Lonneke van Dijk,
Category Manager Meat at Purac.