Researchers in the US have said they may have found a method of beating the potentially lethal food poisoning bacteria listeria.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Professor Jimmy Keeton and colleagues at Texas A&M University say a simple organic acid can stop the harmful bug.


Studying the effects of a number of different substances on frankfurters infected with a high level of listeria, the researchers found that acidified calcium sulphate was the only substance of those tested that could kill the bacteria and prevent it from returning.


Listeria can cause a variety of harmful medical conditions and it is estimated that around one in five cases of listeria results in death.


The results of this study, which was funded by the American Meat Institute, have been submitted to the USDA, reported BBC Online.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Following recent outbreaks in the US, the country’s government is investigating ways to reduce listeria contamination.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact