The present invention provides novel viscous and adherent food-safe antimicrobial compositions, and methods for using same in the immediate and residual decontamination of microbial-contaminated substrate surfaces, in reducing or precluding cutting implement-mediated transfer of surface contamination during cutting operations in the food industry, and for reducing or preventing transfer of contamination from contaminated surfaces in the food and pharmaceutical. Adherent antimicrobial protective layers are formed on substrate surfaces (e.g., processing equipment and utensils), providing a barrier (e.g., chemical and/or physical) to the passage or transport of microbial contamination between and among surfaces. The adherent formulations confer residual de-contaminating activity, providing for prolonged killing of associated microbial contamination. The inventive solutions, are preferably formulated and applied as a gel, syrup or foam, and are preferably prepared using materials which are ‘generally-regarded-as-safe’ (GRAS) in food products, obviating post-treatment removal prior to consumption. Preferably, the inventive formulations are heated to a temperature equal to or greater than about 80° C. prior to application.
