CDC, FDA report multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to onions served at U.S. fast food chain that infected 90 people; 27 in hospital, one death
CDC reports ongoing Salmonella outbreak in eggs with 93 infected and 34 hospitalized
Cytophage’s non-toxic bacteriophage product shown to lower E. coli and Salmonella bacteria levels in food systems and helps prevent outbreaks and resulting disease
Winnipeg – TheNewswire - November 11, 2024. Cytophage Technologies (TSXV:CYTO) (“Cytophage” or the “Company”), the only publicly traded phage company that is focused on bacteriophage solutions for both animal health and human health, comments on the recent CDC & FDA reports on E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. caused by contaminated onions and eggs (E. coli outbreak, Salmonella outbreak). These types of harmful bacterial outbreaks are preventable through the advances that Cytophage has made in protecting food systems using non-toxic bacteriophage (phage) products.
Cytophage has successfully developed phages effective for use against E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, and these phages can be applied to various contaminated foods such as raw meat, eggs, onions, strawberries, lettuce, etc., to considerably reduce or even eliminate harmful bacteria. Through various commercial and R&D initiatives for its flagship AviPhageTM product supporting poultry health, the Company is currently working with international partners to aid them in reducing the use of antibiotics and replace them with phages. A laboratory study conducted in 2023 by Cytophage evaluated the ability of bacteriophage to reduce Salmonella bacteria on experimentally contaminated chicken meat. The study results showed that the phage product significantly reduced the viable Salmonella population to food-safe levels when applied to contaminated skinless, boneless chicken meat. Another laboratory study examined the impact of bacteriophage on reducing Salmonella on the surface of eggs, resulting in a 99% reduction. The Company also studied the use of E. coli phage and Salmonella phage in livestock production to lower bacterial loads and prevent outbreaks.
Cytophage CEO, Dr. Steven Theriault, commented: “We should not be afraid to eat our food. People should not be dying from eating a hamburger. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli continue to be at the forefront of the news cycle. These increasing harms in our food systems, accelerated by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), remain a key motivator for Cytophage to develop targeted phage products that can effectively make our foods safe to consume.
Currently, Cytophage is commercializing its AviphageTM product internationally to manage Salmonella and E. coli problems in chickens. In the same way, phages can be used to address food safety in other ways such as a spray for vegetable crops or cleanser for food processing facility surfaces. This makes Cytophage an important partner for the agricultural sector as we continue to work on both commercial and regulatory fronts to expand the use of phages and improve food safety.”
AMR and the Dangers to Food Systems
The overuse of antibiotics in food systems is one of the leading causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warns that pathogenic antimicrobial resistant bacteria in foods can lead to human illnesses, and these illnesses can then further AMR within the food supply. Moving food products internationally can propel the spread of AMR and lead to transmitting resistance to other pathogenic bacteria.
For further information please contact:
Heather Medwick
Chief Operating Officer
heather@cytophage.com
431 388 8873
Cytophage Investor Alerts: https://cytophage.com/subscribe/
About Cytophage Technologies
Cytophage Technologies (TSXV:CYTO) is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to bacteriophage research, product development and commercialization. Committed to addressing the global challenge of antibiotic resistance, Cytophage advances innovative products that harness the power of bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections affecting human health, animal health, and food security.