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06.11.2024 - Foods
Important Aspects of the Sampling Plan for Environmental Testing for Listeria monocytogenes / Listeria spp.
In the guideline on preventive measures against Listeria monocytogenes by the German Food Association, the following aspects are listed and to be considered in Chapter 7.1 when designing a meaningful sampling plan:
- High-risk areas should be sampled more frequently. These include hard-to-reach and moist places that do not come into contact with products and are not subjected to thorough and regular cleaning and disinfection (e.g., drains, condensate collection trays, gasket rubbers of cold rooms, underside of conveyor belts).
- Product-contact surfaces should also be considered in the sampling plan based on risk orientation.
- Environmental samples can be taken both during ongoing operations and after cleaning and disinfection measures have been carried out.
- In areas where microbiologically contaminated raw materials are handled, environmental samples during ongoing operations are generally not practical.
- It is recommended to use sampling materials with neutralizing substances.
- There are numerous instructions on how to conduct sampling. This includes, for example, choosing the right material (sponge or swab) and the sampling area.
- Recommendations for the transport of samples (duration and temperatures) are provided.
- Examination results must be reviewed promptly, and regular trend analyses conducted. This is to ensure that corrective actions are immediately initiated upon detecting noticeable findings or negative trends.
- If positive results occur in consecutive samplings, strain comparisons of the isolates can be helpful to determine the cause and clarify whether it is a persistent strain.
- Environmental samples for Listeria spp. can be useful, as they serve as an indicator of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. However, the detection of Listeria spp. is not equivalent to detecting Listeria monocytogenes. With positive findings of Listeria spp., corresponding hygiene measures must also be initiated and further identification or confirmation conducted to rule out Listeria monocytogenes.
You can find our profile for Listeria monocytogenes here.
In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct examinations for Listeria monocytogenes as well as Listeria spp. We provide fast and reliable results.
Our customer advisors are readily available for any questions you may have.
Sources: www.lebensmittelverband.de