October 2011/Prepared Foods -- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel on Biological Hazards recently published its scientific opinion on the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of lactic acid for surface decontamination of beef carcasses, cuts and trimmings. The panel concluded treatments for decontamination of beef surfaces consisting of using 2-5% lactic acid, applied either by spraying or misting, are safe. Several studies were evaluated that reported significant reductions in microbial loads (e.g., E. coli) compared to water-treated or untreated carcasses. “Our PURAC® portfolio is effective against E. coli, when decontaminating surfaces of fresh meat. These natural antimicrobials have proven themselves in the beef industry by having been successfully used for decades as part of multiple hurdle systems,” said Lonneke van Dijk, category manager, meat, at Purac. Purac, www.purac.com/food pf