GLOBAL – In a recent study published in the Journal of Food Protection, researchers delved into alternative methods for environmental monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes in food production facilities, illumining on their efficacy compared to traditional culture-based techniques.
To enhance food safety practices, the study evaluated the performance of two alternative methods endorsed by professional organizations, offering valuable insights for industry stakeholders.
Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) play a crucial role in ensuring food safety, particularly concerning pathogens like L. monocytogenes known for their ability to form biofilms and persist in facilities.
Codex Alimentarius, the USDA, and the FDA stress the significance of EMPs in verifying hygiene practices and HACCP plans, emphasizing the need for robust methodologies in detecting Listeria contamination.
Culture-based vs. alternative methods
While traditional culture-based methods have been the norm for Listeria detection, they can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.
As such, alternative approaches endorsed by organizations like AOAC offer promising solutions. The study focused on evaluating the 3M Molecular Detection System (MDS) and Hygeina’s InSite L. mono Glo (InSite) as feasible alternatives, assessing their performance alongside the culture-based method.
Conducting tests in Japanese food facilities producing ready-to-eat dishes and processed meat products, researchers collected and analyzed environmental samples using both traditional and alternative methods.
Results indicated that MDS demonstrated comparable performance to the culture-based method, offering a faster turnaround time of approximately 32 hours. In contrast, InSite showed moderate reproducibility for detecting Listeria spp., but its sensitivity to L. monocytogenes via fluorescence was relatively low.
Implications for food safety practices
Despite the study’s limited sample size, its findings provide valuable insights for industry practitioners, guiding decisions on implementing Listeria EMPs.
While MDS emerges as a promising alternative due to its efficiency and reliability, InSite presents a simpler and rapid option for detecting Listeria, albeit with some limitations. Further robust comparisons are warranted to refine testing methodologies and enhance food safety protocols in Japanese food production facilities and beyond.
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