Assessment of Escherichia coli O157:H7-specific bacteriophages e11/2 and e4/1c in model broth and hide environments

► Phages e11/2 and e4/1c reduced E. coli O157:H7 numbers when exposed to pHs from pH 3-9 and temperatures from 4-37 °C. ► e11/2 and e4/1c reduced E. coli O157:H7 numbers when exposed to Aw values of 0.91-1.00 and NaCl concentrations of 1-2.5%. ► A phage cocktail of e11/2 and e4/1c reduced E. coli O157:H7 numbers by 2.0 log cfu/cm2 on cattle hide after 1 hr.