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FSIS Strengthens Regulations to Reduce Listeria Monocytogenes in 'Ready-to-Eat' Meat and Poultry Products

Edited by: Mary Schroeder, M.S., R.D. & Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Colorado State - Fall 2003

A new ruling by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service will take effect this fall in an effort to further reduce the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in certain ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. Federal establishments who produce RTE meat and poultry products will be required to develop written programs and to verify the effectiveness of those programs through testing. Choices range from implementing a sanitation program, a post-lethality treatment and/or a growth inhibitor for Listeria monocytogenes on RTE products. The rule also enables establishments to make claims on their RTE product labels that describe the processes used to eliminate or reduce Listeria monocytogenes, or suppress its growth. FSIS believes this will be one way for consumers to be able to identify products with enhanced safety specific to this pathogen.

Source:

1. Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. News Release; June 4, 2003.

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