Penn State Univ. applied for a provisional patent on a novel composite film that kills foodborne pathogens.

The film features an antimicrobial lining that slows the release of Lauric arginate, an antimicrobial made from naturally occurring substances that is approved for use in foods. Lauric arginate is proven effective in killing and limiting the growth of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and pathogenic E. coli. Catherine Cutter, professor of food science, credited researcher Abdelrahim Hassan, a former visiting scholar in the Dept. of Food Science at Penn State, with devising a procedure to fuse the antimicrobial layer to polyethylene plastic. This could be of interest to the packaging and food industries.

“Polyethylene exhibits many desirable properties, such as strength, transparency, gas permeability and water resistance,” she says. “The novel composite film can give us antimicrobial properties and at the same time provide the strength and all the other desirable properties of polyethylene that the industry is still looking for.”

Curbing cravings

Strong Roots, a plant-based food brand, has started experimenting with a meat patch that it says can help vegetarians and vegan eaters curb their meat cravings.

The idea was started by Professor Charles Spence, an Oxford Univ. scientist who specializes in experimental psychology, who teamed up with Strong Roots.

According to Spence, the patch emits the smell of bacon when scratched.

“Studies have shown that scent can reduce food cravings,” Spence said to The Independent. “Our sense of smell is strongly connected to our ability to taste, therefore experiencing food related cues such as smelling a bacon aroma, can lead us to imagine the act of eating that food.”

The company plans to give out more samples around the UK to test it further.

KFC and Crocs collaborated on limited-edition footwear called Kentucky Fried Chicken X Crocs Classic Clog. The shoes come in unisex sizes and cost $59.99.

Global artist Me Love Me a Lot (MLMA) modeled a sky-high, platform version during New York Fashion Week called Kentucky Fried Chicken X Crocs Bucket Clog. The second version, Kentucky Fried Chicken X Crocs Classic Clog, will be available for consumer purchase this spring. The classic Crocs feature a realistic Kentucky Fried Chicken pattern and a nod to the KFC red-striped bucket. The clogs also come with two removable, chicken scented Jibbitz charms that resemble a fried chicken drumstick.

“Combining the unmistakable look of our world-famous fried chicken and signature KFC bucket, with the unparalleled comfort and style of Crocs, these shoes are what fried chicken footwear dreams are made of,” said Andrea Zahumensky, chief marketing officer, KFC US.