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25.07.2025 - Foods

25/07/2025 - New EU Regulation on Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods from July 2026

In issue 06/25 of the specialist magazine Fleischwirtschaft, Jennifer Künzl and Paul Andrei explain the new EU regulations on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods, which will apply from July 1, 2026. Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 is based on a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) from 2022 and provides for stricter limit values that must be complied with both at the manufacturing level and in trade.

The changes result from the adaptation of Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 and close a previously existing legal gap regarding the application of stricter limit values at the trade level. The new regulations require food companies to implement increased control and hygiene measures for ready-to-eat products that favor the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. The aim is to better protect consumers from the risks of listeriosis.

Listeria monocytogenes is a resilient bacterium that can grow even at refrigerator temperatures and poses a serious threat to public health. The regulation differentiates foods into three categories and defines new requirements for ready-to-eat foods that promote the growth of Listeria. For these foods, the absence of Listeria monocytogenes in 25g is required.

The new regulation requires manufacturers and trading companies to strengthen self-monitoring, laboratory tests, and hygiene measures. Companies must ensure that ready-to-eat foods comply with the limit values throughout their entire shelf life. Challenge tests and mathematical models are also used to assess the growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes.

The BAV Institute supports companies in implementing the new requirements, conducts challenge tests, rapid methods for Listeria monocytogenes, and environmental investigations, and is available for professional advice.