Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Regulations
9.1
The Challenge of Taking Bioprotection Strategies
from the Lab to the Market
Application of bioprotection strategies in food preservation may be restricted by
laws from different countries that may differ considerably in their fundamentals end
practical effects. Some of them are related directly to addition of bioprotectants to
foods, but others not less important may be related to apparently secondary aspects
such as labelling, packaging, export, use of biological agents or genetically modi-
fi ed organisms.
Licensing antimicrobial preparations as food preservatives is perhaps the most
complicated way to follow. Nisin is the only bacteriocin currently approved as a
food preservative (E234). Nisin was assessed to be safe for food use by the Joint
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee
on Food Additives in 1969, and was added to the European food additive list in 1983
(Directive 83/463/EEC; Directive 95/2/EC); (European Economic Community
1983
; European Parliament and Council
1995
). It was approved in 1988 by the US
Food and Drug Agency (FDA) for use in pasteurized processed cheese spreads. The
initial approval was followed by other licensed applications (e.g., FSIS
2002
). Nisin
is legally used in over 80 countries (Adams
2003
). However, there are major differ-
ences in national legislations concerning the presence and levels of nisin in food
products.
Nisin (in the commercial forms Nisaplin™ and Chrisin™) is a lyophilized prod-
uct obtained from a microbial fermentation. The industrially fermented products are
regulated under general food laws. Concentrates or lyophilised powders obtained
from fermentates may be added to foods as ingredients. Many commercial prepara-
tions currently on the market are sold as ingredients, or shelf-life extenders. Alta™
2351 and Fargo 23 are natural food ingredients with antilisterial activity produced
by bacteriocinogenic strains through a fermentation process. Alta™ 2351 is labelled
as “cultured dairy solids (Skim Milk, Dextrose, Whey, and Lactic Acid Culture).”
