News
14.09.2023 - Foods
Changes in DGHM recommendations for Listeria monocytogenes and new recommendations.
Below we would like to point out the latest updates of the DGHM recommendations. Be sure to also take note of the changes related to the criteria for Listeria monocytogenes (see below).
For numerous food product groups, the “Permanent Working Group on Microbiological Guidelines and Warning Values for Food of the DGHM e.V.” (German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology e.V.) publishes guideline and warning values for the assessment of microbiological examination results. These criteria are intended to provide assistance in assessing the hygienic-microbiological quality of food. In contrast to the legal criteria of Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for food, the DGHM recommendations are not legally binding.
We have incorporated the changes in the DGHM recommendations into our testing plans.
New recommendations:
Whipped cream (No. 1.1)
Olive products (No. 8.3)
Dried fruits including raisins and fruit powders (No. 11.2)
The recommendations for “Whipped Cream” and “Dried Fruits including Raisins and Fruit Powders” have not been changed compared to the already existing values. The criteria for olive products are new. The following examination parameters are included here: Pseudomonads, Escherichia coli, Molds, Coagulase-positive Staphylococci, Presumptive Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes.
The DGHM recommendations are available for a fee at www.dghm-richt-warnwerte.de.
New drafts:
Milkshakes, loose goods (No. 1.5)
This draft is specifically aimed at milkshakes without raw ingredients. If raw vegetable ingredients are included, this must be considered in the assessment.
The drafts are freely accessible at www.dghm.org.
Changes concerning Listeria monocytogenes
Furthermore, there is another important adjustment of the DGHM recommendations to Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for food. For ready-to-eat foods that potentially support the multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes, the warning value for this parameter is changed to: “Listeria monocytogenes n.n. in 25 g or 1 x 10² CFU/g”. The associated footnote is relevant: “For the examination and evaluation of L. monocytogenes, the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for food in its current version must be observed.”
Since the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in food has led to numerous serious illness cases and recalls in recent years, we urgently recommend that you address this topic. The decision on whether to apply the limit of n.n. in 25g or 1 x 10² CFU/g for a food product must usually be considered individually for each product. We will provide you with further information on this in newsletters and seminars in the coming months.
Since our laboratory director Paul Andrei is a member of the aforementioned working group, we can answer your questions competently and promptly. Please feel free to contact your customer advisor if needed.