News

Go back

Mar 23, 2026 - Foods

European Commission updates guidelines on Listeria in ready-to-eat foods

The European Commission has published a revised version of its guidance on monitoring Listeria monocytogenes and shelf-life studies for ready-to-eat foods. The revision comes ahead of new legal requirements in Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005, which will apply from July 1, 2026.

The focus of the update is the stronger obligation for food companies to demonstrate the safety of their products throughout their entire shelf life. The guidance is specifically aimed at manufacturers of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods but also serves as a guide for authorities during inspections.

It is newly highlighted that the classification of foods with respect to the growth of Listeria monocytogenes must be based on robust, product-related studies. In addition to product analyses and literature data, the importance of mathematical models and so-called challenge tests is particularly emphasized. These are considered central tools for assessing the growth of the pathogen under realistic storage conditions.

For RTE foods that can promote the growth of L. mono, a limit of ≤ 100 colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g) still applies—however, only if it can be demonstrated that this value is maintained throughout the entire shelf life. If such proof cannot be provided, the stricter criterion "not detectable in 25 g" automatically applies.

The guidance also underscores the importance of shelf-life studies, risk assessments, and systematic monitoring, including product and environmental samples. Factors such as temperature, pH value, water activity, or packaging play a central role.

With the revision, the EU is responding to the growing importance of listeriosis illnesses and aims to further increase the level of consumer protection.