New facility will study deadly bacteria

Ås, Norway – A new processing plant is being constructed in Norway that will allow researchers the chance to study how pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli grow and survive during food processing, packaging and storage.

Once the facility is completed in mid 2013, scientists will have the opportunity to examine under controlled conditions how some of the world’s deadliest pathogens react in food. The facility will have a Biosafety level three grade – the second highest safety level – and will include numerous safety measures to ensure microbes do not escape.

By studying how raw material becomes contaminated, what happens to microbes during the production process, and how to effectively destroy them, researchers hope to be able to ultimately reduce the number of foodborne outbreaks.

The facility is a project of the Norwegian University Life Sciences and food research institute Nofima, and is funded by the Research Council of Norway.

According to an article on Foodproduction.com, Nofima hopes to attract leading researchers from across Europe in order to encourage collaboration. The facility will also be available for use by food and beverage manufacturers.