Environmental responses and phage susceptibility in foodborne pathogens: implications for improving applications in food safety

Bacterial foodborne pathogens can rapidly respond to changes in their environment, granting them the ability to survive under a broad range of conditions. In doing so, they undergo physiological alterations that can influence the efficacy of detection and interventions used in the food industry. As bacteriophage-based applications in food safety are gaining traction, it is crucial that we consider the effect the environment can have on phage host interactions. This review aims to bridge knowledge of the responses of bacterial foodborne pathogens to changing environmental conditions with our understanding of phage host interactions. An improved understanding of these intersections will aid in the development of bacteriophage-based products for the detection, biocontrol and biosanitation of foodborne pathogens.