Listeria outbreaks have been recurring in headlines over the past several years, putting millions of consumers at risk. While food manufacturing safety has always been a regulatory priority for contributors throughout the value chain, today’s pace of doing business makes foodborne illness prevention extremely challenging. That’s precisely why Innodal’s anti-Listeria product, Inneo, is a vital part of preventing listeria outbreaks and costly recalls in the future.
What Is Listeria monocytogenes?
Food safety experts consider Listeria monocytogenes one of the most dangerous food-borne diseases. This bacterium is common in the environment, thriving in soil, water, and decaying matter. While some individuals are infected through environmental contact, most cases are caused by eating Listeria-contaminated food.
Symptoms of Listeria
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, often begins with mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, especially among vulnerable populations, it can lead to serious complications. For manufacturers and supply chain professionals, these symptoms underscore the importance of rigorous food safety protocols
The Cost of Listeria: Outbreaks and Recalls
Despite substantial improvements in food manufacturing health and safety over the past several decades, deadly Listeria outbreaks have rocked consumer trust and severely damaged brand reputations. Listeria recalls of meat, ice cream, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals cost brands approximately $19.2 million in 2024, counting only direct costs. Lawsuits, fines, and the long-term effects on brand trust likely make the true cost of non-compliance or inadvertent contamination substantially higher.
Innodal’s Anti-Listeria Solution
The prevention of foodborne diseases is at the heart of Innodal’s mission. The Canada-based team has spent years designing and perfecting Inneo, the first-ever protein approved by Health Canada and the FDA for use in food processing as a processing aid, therefore it does not need to be mentioned on the ingredients list.
Inneo is a 100% natural formula engineered around pediocin. Pediocin is a natural bacteriocin (made of chains of amino acids) that acts as an antimicrobial peptide. This protein attaches to Listeria monocytogenes and opens a receptor on the bacterium’s cell membrane. The bacterium dies through lysis.
Importantly, Inneo does not inhibit the growth of beneficial microorganisms or impact lactic fermentation, making it an excellent option for prepared meats, cheeses, and sauerkraut. Inneo breaks down into free amino acids through natural food protease within 24 to 48 hours, which means it is cleared from the product before the food is consumed.
It’s also a low-input additive. A single gram of Inneo treats 6,600 kilograms of food. The concentration can be adjusted for production needs, guided by Innodal’s team. This extremely low usage requirement also ensures it has no impact on product taste, color, or texture.
Inneo is currently used to prevent Listeria in meat, seafood, dairy, and ready-to-eat food products.
How Inneo Works
Manufacturers can choose from three application options to align with operations and ensure convenient adaptability:
- Spray: A homogeneous dosage dispersed during food processing, disbursing on the surface of food.
- Into the recipe: Ensures protection within the food, guaranteeing an effective antimicrobial barrier.
- Soaking baths: This adds Inneo to food early in the manufacturing process and ensures a uniform coverage on complex surfaces.
Tilley Distribution will work with your team to determine the best application process for your product line and manufacturing process.
Invest in Your Organization’s Food Safety with Tilley Distribution
With several food manufacturing safety certifications and an experienced team of technical experts, Tilley is Innodal’s major US distribution partner. Learn more about Inneo (including sample requests) and Listeria prevention, and how Tilley can support your operations with this innovative product. Start the conversation by contacting our team today.
