Preventing Listeria in Fresh Dairy: How BioStryke® LS and VAM-L Can Help
Recent recalls of milk, fresh cheeses, and other refrigerated dairy items due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination have highlighted how vulnerable these products can be. Beyond the immediate health risks to consumers, recalls carry significant costs for processors—financial, reputational, and operational.
At SK8 Biotechnologies, we believe that natural, targeted solutions are the future of food safety. Our BioStryke® LS and VAM-L products are designed to help dairy manufacturers control Listeria effectively while maintaining the integrity, taste, and quality that consumers expect.
Photo of dairy products like milk, fresh cheese, sour cream, etc.
Why Dairy Products Are at Risk
Fresh dairy products—milk, cream, queso fresco, ricotta, paneer, and other soft cheeses—provide an ideal environment for Listeria. These foods are:
Nutrient-rich, supporting microbial growth.
High in moisture, giving pathogens the conditions they need to survive.
Consumed without further cooking, meaning there is no additional kill step once the product leaves the facility.
Even small contamination events in processing plants can trigger widespread recalls and regulatory action.
BioStryke® LS: Targeted Listeria Control
BioStryke® LS is a bacteriophage-based solution developed to specifically target Listeria monocytogenes. Unlike traditional chemical sanitizers, bacteriophages are naturally occurring and highly selective, attacking only the harmful bacteria while leaving beneficial cultures and product quality untouched.
Applied as a direct application on fresh dairy products or as a processing aid, BioStryke® LS works within minutes to reduce Listeria to undetectable levels. Its clean-label profile also aligns with consumer demand for transparency and natural solutions.
VAM-L: Environmental Protection for Dairy Facilities
Controlling Listeria is not only about protecting the product—it’s also about managing the processing environment. Biofilms, drains, conveyor belts, and cold rooms can harbor Listeria and serve as persistent contamination sources.
VAM-L is designed for environmental applications, helping processors control Listeria populations on food contact and non-food contact surfaces. By reshaping microbial communities in the plant, VAM-L reduces the risk of cross-contamination and recurring contamination cycles.
Reducing Recall Risks
When a Listeria contamination is detected in dairy products, recalls can lead to:
Millions of dollars in losses from unsellable inventory and shutdowns.
Regulatory penalties and increased scrutiny.
Loss of consumer trust that may take years to rebuild.
By integrating BioStryke® LS into product safety protocols and VAM-L into environmental sanitation programs, dairy processors can add two powerful, natural tools to their food safety arsenal. These interventions can help reduce contamination risks before they become costly recall events.
A Smarter Path Forward
Listeria control in dairy doesn’t have to rely solely on harsh chemicals or reactive recalls. With advanced bacteriophage technology, processors can take a proactive stance—protecting consumers, safeguarding brands, and ensuring that dairy products remain both safe and delicious.
SK8 Biotechnologies is committed to supporting dairy manufacturers with innovative, natural solutions like BioStryke® LS and VAM-L. Together, we can build a safer food system, one batch at a time.