FDA Extends GRAS Approval LISTEX(TM) to All Food Products

FDA Extends GRAS Approval LISTEX(TM) to All Food Products

July 10, 2007

-- The FDA and USDA announced today they have approved
LISTEX(TM) P100, the natural bacteriophage product against
listeria, as GRAS (generally recognised as safe), for all
food products.


    WAGENINGEN, Netherlands, July 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
In the fight against Listeria, one of the most dangerous
food pathogens, US food processing companies can now apply
a novel yet natural tool: LISTEX(TM) bacteriophages. The
FDA and USDA have approved this product from The
Netherlands as GRAS, based on extensive safety and efficacy
data and organoleptics tests confirming that LISTEX(TM) is
safe and has no impact on taste, smell, colour, and other
physical properties of treated products.
    
    Bacteriophages ('phage') are the most abundant
micro-organisms on earth. Fresh water and seawater can
contain as many as 1 billion phages per ml, while in fresh
and processed meat and meat products, more than 100 million
viable phages per gram are often present. Phages are
harmless to humans, animals and plants, and target only
bacterial cells. They are extremely specific in regard to
the bacteria they recognize. The LISTEX(TM) bacteriophages
target only Listeria bacteria (leaving desirable bacteria
in place), and are easy to apply in production processes.

    In October 2006 the FDA had already proclaimed GRAS for
LISTEX(TM) against Listeria in cheese. The extension to all
products susceptible to Listeria, opens the door for the
meat and fish industry to apply LISTEX(TM). Earlier this
month, the Dutch designated inspection office SKAL
confirmed the 'organic' status of LISTEX(TM) under EU law,
as a result of which it can be used in the EU in regular
and organic products.

    EBI Food Safety's CEO, Mark Offerhaus, "Food
Safety now tops the agenda of US food processing companies
and consumers, who are insisting on `green' solutions,
rather than chemicals. Natural bacteriophages prove to be a
unique solution, where increased safety does not come at the
expense of product characteristics. US food processors can
now benefit from LISTEX(TM), like their European
counterparts."

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
Listeriosis, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes,
is one of the most severe food borne infections, with a
mortality rate of 30%. It can take weeks after exposure
before an infection becomes apparent. The US Food Safety
and Inspection Service maintains a zero tolerance policy
for the bacterium, which grows at refrigeration temperature
and is omnipresent. Risk groups include the young, old,
immunocompromised and pregnant.

    About EBI Food Safety

    EBI Food Safety ( http://www.ebifoodsafety.com ),
located in Wageningen ("Food Valley"), the
Netherlands, develops and markets natural bacteriophage
products against dangerous food pathogens and is viewed as
product leader in this field. In 2006, the company was
honored with the Technology Innovation Award by Frost &
Sullivan. In 2007, the company was elected as one of
Holland's 25 most promising young enterprises by FEM
Business Magazine. The company's scientific network
includes collaborations with universities and research
centers around the world.








    For more information, please contact:

     Mark Offerhaus, CEO
     EBI Food Safety
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail], or
[e-mail]
     Web:   http://www.ebifoodsafety.com