Foodie Pundit

The Next Protector of Your Produce Is a Living Bacteria

A new 'probiotic' pesticide derived from a living bacteria is being reviewed for use on crops like potatoes and tomatoes. Discover the science, the risks, and w

By Foodie Pundit Newsroom - Published - Updated - Section: Policy Regulation

potato dinner plate

Key points

  • The future of agriculture involves using "good" bacteria as "probiotic pesticides" to fight fungal and pest threats to crops like potatoes, corn, and tomatoes.
  • These biological controls are not a magic bullet; they face intense scrutiny from food safety agencies like the EFSA to ensure they are safe for humans, workers, and the environment.
  • The term "natural" does not automatically equal "safe," and living pesticides require a more complex risk assessment than traditional chemical ones, looking at factors like genetic stability and soil impact.
  • The meticulous and slow regulatory process, while challenging for farmers and producers, is a critical safeguard for consumers, ensuring new farming technologies are vetted before they enter the food chain.

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