CRISPR-based tools in food safety and microbiology: applications for pathogen detection and control.

Foodborne diseases have continued to pose serious health and economic challenges worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries with weak food safety systems. The traditional forms of detection are effective but time-consuming and laborious, and may not be suitable for quick on-site use. In this regard, CRISPR-Cas technology has become a revolutionary technology in food safety because it is highly specific, sensitive and programmable. This is a review of CRISPR-based applications in food microbiology, with an emphasis on rapid pathogen detection methods and targeted microbial control. Recent diagnostic advances in CRISPR-based diagnostics, such as the addition of isothermal amplification, lateral flow assays, and biosensing platforms, have demonstrated fast, portable, and cost-effective methods for detecting foodborne pathogens. Also, CRISPR-mediated antimicrobial interventions, including programmed bacteriophages and gene targeting, provide effective control of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Notably, this review also discusses the comparative advantages of various Cas systems (Cas9, Cas12, Cas13), their industrial potential, and future opportunities to integrate them with smart technologies (artificial intelligence and IoT-based monitoring systems). In summary, CRISPR technologies are a next-generation approach to real-time, accurate, and sustainable food quality management. They are well-positioned to operate at an industrial scale, despite current regulatory and standardisation issues.