FDA considers lactoferrin safe to fight E coli The Food and Drug Administration issued a release saying it considers that using lactoferrin to fight Escherichia coli O157:H7 is safe. This antimicrobial protein, found in cow's milk and beef (in neutrophils), can be applied to beef carcasses at the slaughterhouse. The FDA has concluded that lactoferrin is "generally recognized as safe" for the general population as well as for individuals who are allergic to milk. The FDA considers a substance used in food as GRAS if data lead experts to conclude the ingredient is safe for its proposed use. Research shows that the amount of added lactoferrin that remains on beef after spraying is comparable with the amount of lactoferrin that is nat ...