The present invention relates to virulent (lytic) Listeria monocytogenes
phage from the Myoviridae family, preferably P100, alone or in
combination with other virulent phages. P100 and the endolysin from P100
can be administered to food products, to the components that will be
added to food products, and/or to the infrastructure of the food
processing plants within which such food products are processed, or the
containers or wraps in which such foods are stored and/or shipped, in
order to reduce Listeria monocytogenes contamination. P100 can also be
used in the present invention to identify Listeria monocytogenes bacteria
present on (or within) foodstuffs, as well as those Listeria
monocytogenes bacteria present in the equipment or the general
environment of the food processing plants in which the foodstuffs are
being processed and in animals infected with Listeria monocytogenes. The
phage and the endolysin of the present invention can also be used to
treat animals infected with Listeria monocytogenes. P100 will kill the
bacteria that are within its host range with great efficiency and will
propagate to high titer thereon. P100 can be combined with other lytic
phage, and/or with other antimicrobial agents to reduce or eliminate
Listeria.