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09.10.2019 - Foods

ALTS decision on the food safety criterion Listeria monocytogenes in frozen vegetables

Due to the EU-wide outbreak of infections with Listeria monocytogenes with multiple fatalities in 2018 (www.efsa.europa.eu), the ALTS (Working Group of Experts in the Field of Food Hygiene and Food of Animal Origin) addressed important issues regarding this in its 83rd working session.

For the assessment of a positive microbiological finding of Listeria monocytogenes in frozen vegetables, it is crucial whether this product is classified as ready-to-eat. Additionally, there are different requirements depending on the growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in the product.

For ready-to-eat foods, Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 contains food safety criteria for Listeria monocytogenes. Three categories are distinguished:

In the aforementioned case from 2018, frozen corn was identified as the cause of the illnesses. The ALTS statement therefore states, "Frozen vegetables do not promote the growth of Listeria monocytogenes during storage at -18 °C. In addition, after thawing, it is generally subjected to a germ-killing heating process, and thus does not fall under the category 'ready-to-eat.' However, due to changed consumer behavior, it cannot be ruled out that frozen vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale) may also be processed and consumed raw after thawing (e.g., in smoothies)."

The ALTS made the following decision:

In the case of frozen vegetables, it must be decided on an individual basis whether the product can also be consumed without heating, and thus the food safety criterion Listeria monocytogenes, Category 1.3, should be applied. The following groups can serve as decision aids:

• If the vegetable has other ingredients such as butter or sauces added, it is assumed that the product is intended to be heated before consumption
• The product does not fall under the requirements of Annex I, Chap. 1, Category 1.3 of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005.
• If the labeling includes information ensuring that the product is only consumed after sufficient heating
• The product does not fall under the requirements of Annex I, Chap. 1, Category 1.3 of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005.
• If the vegetable is used under normal conditions without heating in e.g., smoothies or salads (e.g., spinach, kale, corn, mixed vegetables)
• The product is classified as ready-to-eat and thus subject to the requirements of Annex I, Chap. 1, Category 1.3 of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005.

In our profile, you can learn more about the significance, origin, and potential contamination sources of Listeria monocytogenes in foods.

In our laboratory, we regularly conduct this investigation for Listeria monocytogenes. We employ both a 24-hour rapid method, a 48-hour rapid method, and the ISO method in the accredited area. We deliver fast and reliable results.

For questions, our customer advisors are very happy to assist you.

Source:
www.bvl.bund.de
www.rki.de
www.efsa.europa.eu
www.bfr.bund.de
eur-lex.europa.eu