Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Product Verification Testing Samples from U.S. Department of Agriculture–Regulated Producing Establishments, 2005 through 2017

Abstract

Ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry product samples collected between 2005 and 2017 from RTE producing establishments for the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS’s) ALLRTE/RTEPROD_RAND (random) and RTE001/RTEPROD_RISK (risk-based) sampling projects were tested for Listeria monocytogenes ( Lm ). Data for 45,897 ALLRTE/RTEPROD_RAND samples collected from 3607 unique establishments and 112,347 RTE001/RTEPROD_RISK samples collected from 3283 unique establishments were analyzed for the presence of Lm . These data were also analyzed based upon the percentages of establishments with positive samples, as well as annual production volume, sanitation control alternative, geographic location and season/month of sample collection. Results showed low occurrences of Lm -positive samples from the random and risk-based sampling projects, with 152 positive samples (0.33%) for ALLRTE/RTEPROD_RAND and 403 positive samples (0.36%) for RTE001/RTEPROD_RISK, respectively. The percentages of positive samples significantly decreased over time, from about 0.7% in 2005-2006 to about 0.2% in 2017 (P<0.05). During the 2005-2017 time period, 3.9% of establishments sampled under the ALLRTE/RTEPROD_RAND sampling project had at least one Lm -positive sample. Similarly, 10.0% of establishments sampled under the RTE001/RTEPROD_RISK sampling project had at least one positive sample. Positive Lm samples were found in all geographic regions in all months. Thus, in 13 years of RTE product sampling in FSIS-regulated establishments (2005-2017), less than 0.4% of samples were positive for Lm in both risk-based and random sampling projects. The low percentage of Lm in these products suggests that the combination of FSIS policies and industry practices may be effective in controlling Lm contamination. Information obtained from these sampling projects is relevant to the ongoing prevention of foodborne Lm illnesses from RTE meat and poultry products.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in Different Raw Food from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico

“…However, this can be considered a low percentage compared with the results obtained in other similar studies, of 8.5 to 53.3% [ 57 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. In contrast to the findings reported by Mamber et al [ 68 ], our results showed a higher percentage. In their study, 0.46% of chicken samples collected from the USA were tested positive for L. monocytogenes.…”

Listeria Monocytogenes in Soft Spreadable Salami: Study of the Pathogen Behavior and Growth Prediction During Manufacturing Process and Shelf Life

“…Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous Gram-positive bacterium able to contaminate a wide variety of foodstuffs; particularly, it is considered a relevant foodborne pathogen commonly associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) products [1,2]. The microorganism is responsible for numerous outbreaks of listeriosis worldwide [3][4][5][6] with high mortality rates in specific population categories such as immunocompromised subjects, elderly and pregnant women [7][8][9].…”

Antibacterial Activity of Pediocin and Pediocin-Producing Bacteria Against Listeria monocytogenes in Meat Products

“…In fact, meat and meat products are a suitable medium for growth of various pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms due to the presence of essential nutrients, absence of competing microorganisms, and desirable water activity and pH (Galvez et al, 2008). In addition, environments of food production and ingredients applied in the recipes of products such as frankfurters and sausages can facilitate microbial proliferation (Mamber et al, 2020). Therefore, meat and meat products must be produced and stored under safe and hygienic conditions.…”