GRIFFIN, Ga. - University of Georgia food researchers have applied for a patent for a "good bacteria" which could be used to prevent harmful E. coli from contaminating beef.
Scientists say they isolated 18 beneficial strains of bacteria which, when added to cattle feed, "virtually eliminated" harmful E. coli within two to three weeks.
E. coli is a common bacteria in the stomachs and intestinal tracts of live cattle and it can contaminate ground beef through fecal matter.
Mike Doyle, director of the university's Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement, says the early research "looks very promising." Authorities recently recalled 25 million pounds of potentially tainted beef because of contamination fears.
Researchers were unable to find a vaccine against E. coli, so they instead created a "pro biotic culture." They identified the "good bacteria" after examining 1,200 bacteria isolated from cattle not infected with E. coli.
The university is awaiting approval from the Food & Drug Administration to market the food additive and has applied for a patent on the process.
Scientists at a U.S. Agriculture Department laboratory in Athens, Ga. , say a similar technique may help eliminate salmonella from chickens' intestines.
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