[ON-DEMAND WEBINAR] Access the on-demand webinar for information and guidelines on how to control Listeria at production plant level to drive consumer safety and reduce contamination.
Listeria poses a significant problem for the food processing industry because of the high proportion of fatal cases in outbreaks. The bacteria can live well and proliferate in conditions where other bacteria caw'w. While the optimum temperature for incubation is between 30 to 37 Celcius, Listeria will grow at temperatures as low as 10C. As a result, the typical cold food processing environment is favorable for Listeria growth. Additionally, re-contamination after any preservation treatments is still possible due to its ubiquity.
Controlling Listeria is down to prevention. Good manufacturing processes (GMP), HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points) programs and good hygienic practices all play a part in mitigating the risk of contamination and controlling Listeria at the processing plant.