Bacteriophage Therapy as an Alternative Strategy for Controlling Biofilm-Associated Infections in Food Processing Environments

Biofilms in food processing environments pose a significant challenge due to their resilience and resistance to conventional sanitation and antimicrobial strategies. These biofilm-associated infections increase the risk of contamination and spoilage in food products. Bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising alternative to combat these resilient microbial communities. This review explores the mechanisms by which bacteriophages target biofilms, evaluates current applications in food environments, discusses advantages over traditional methods, and highlights the limitations and prospects of phage-based interventions. A comprehensive analysis of literature from 2010 to 2024 with emphasis on the most recent advancements (2020–2024) is presented to support the feasibility of this approach in modern food safety systems.