Researchers have provided alternatives to the zero-tolerance approach used in the United States to manage Listeria in low-risk foods.
“A blanket zero-tolerance policy for all RTE foods provides a very strong disincentive for zone 1 testing, as well as a significant disincentive for finished product testing. More specifically, the challenge with a zero-tolerance approach for all foods is that all positive test results will lead to a recall, therefore potentially limiting the willingness to frequently sample,” said researchers in the journal Food Control.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service approach to meat safety differs from that used by the US Food and Drug Administration to assure the safety of other foods.
“The frozen food industry is committed to advancing food safety practices to prevent and control Listeria monocytogenes. We’re grateful for the insights and guidance from the Listeria monocytogenes international expert panel and believe their new recommendations should guide practical and sustained approaches to Listeria regulatory policy that improve public health,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor.
Handling Listeria in low-risk foodsBenefits of not recalling low-risk foods that don’t support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and contain low levels of the pathogen include not wasting industry and regulator resources or losing consumer confidence, decreased food waste, avoiding negative effects on the environment, and avoiding unnecessary costly recalls, according to the study.
Researchers stressed the need for an alternative approach to deal with low-risk foods containing Listeria monocytogenes.
This could include using alternatives to the current 2-class presence-absence sampling plans for low-risk foods where Listeria cannot grow; using big data to better inform microbial risk assessments; performing a risk-benefit assessment, and developing consumer food handling and risk communication strategies.
Researchers said regulatory efforts should be directed at RTE foods that support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes with a multi-pronged approach to control the pathogen needed.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment will examine new research and data for Listeria in different foods and geographical regions to validate the current risk assessment models and inform risk management approaches to control the bacteria.