Essay On Listeria Monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen and is widely tested for in food, environmental and clinical samples. Given the close morphological and biochemical resemblances of L. monocytogenes to other Listeria species, and the non-specific clinical manifestations of listeriosis, the availability of rapid, specific and sensitive diagnostic tests capable of distinguishing L. monocytogenes from other (Liu, 2006). In the food industry, standard culture procedures are used as reference methods for regulatory purposes and for validation of new technology. These methods are sensitive but often time consuming and may take 5 to 6 days before the result is available. Two of the most widely-used culture reference methods for detection of Listeria in all foods are the FDA bacteriological and analytical method

monocytogenes and potential public harm as result of a listeriosis outbreak gave rise to rule-making and legislation from the agencies responsible for maintaining the safety of the U.S. food supply. In 1987, the USDA initiated testing for L. monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat (RTE) meat and poultry products, and established a “zero tolerance” policy with no detectable level of viable organisms allowed. On June 6, 2003, FSIS published an interim final rule that amended its regulations to require that official establishments that produce RTE meat and poultry products prevent product adulteration by the pathogenic environmental contaminant L. monocytogenes. Specifically, FSIS was strongly critical of FDA’s recommendation to set an upper limit of 100cfu/g as acceptable for certain RTE products (Kraiss, 2008). In their opinion, there is insufficient scientific data to support an upper limit of 100 cfu/g as being “safe”. For samples testing >100 cfu/g, the FDA suggests treating the product with a listericidal control measure, diverting the food to animals or a use in which it is not consumed and destroying the food if