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10.07.2024 - Foods

Article: Environmental Monitoring for Listeria monocytogenes

The issue 05/2024 of the Fleischwirtschaft contains an article by Paul Andrei from the BAV Institute on the topic of "Environmental Monitoring for Listeria monocytogenes according to the Guideline for Good Practice for Preventive Measures against Listeria monocytogenes”.

This guideline, published in December 2023, is an important guide for food business operators and authorities and is a recommendation prepared by experts from various fields of the economy, authorities, and science under the leadership of the German Food Association. It is a guideline for Good Practice according to Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 825/2004, according to which food business operators producing ready-to-eat foods that may pose a risk to public health due to Listeria monocytogenes must conduct environmental monitoring.

The article by Paul Andrei outlines the important aspects of this guideline.

Among other things, the objectives of environmental monitoring are named, explaining that through regular and well-planned environmental investigations, the likelihood of detecting potential contamination sources is higher than through random product investigations. As a result, the number of individual product tests can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, the article explains what to consider in a sampling plan and clarifies with examples.

Finally, the article concludes with how to assess laboratory results from environmental monitoring.

At the BAV Institute, we regularly conduct investigations on listeria. We provide you with fast and reliable results and are happy to advise you on any matters regarding product safety. Our customer advisors are available to assist you with any questions.