Rapid detection of Listeria and Listeria monocytogenes in food within 24h
Dec 2, 2019 - Foods
Rapid detection of Listeria and Listeria monocytogenes in food within 24h
Infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes have increased in Germany and the EU in recent years (BfR, 2017; BfR, 2018). Although the number of listeriosis cases is relatively low compared to campylobacteriosis or salmonellosis, these diseases are still of high relevance. Infections with Listeria monocytogenes often lead to complications and can result in severe illnesses with fatal outcomes (BfR, 2018).
Food business operators whose products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes due to their properties are required by legal provisions in EU hygiene law (Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on foodstuffs in conjunction with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs) and due to diligence obligations to carry out corresponding self-checks.
These obligations, however, do not only concern the performance of food tests but also the performance of environmental tests. As stated in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs: "...food business operators producing ready-to-eat foods which could pose a risk to public health from Listeria monocytogenes are required, as part of their sampling plan, to test processing areas and equipment for Listeria monocytogenes..."
For these reasons, it is necessary during the production of many foods (particularly perishable products) to regularly conduct product and environmental testing for listeria and/or Listeria monocytogenes. In addition to the ISO methods that take several days, it is often useful to perform validated rapid methods according to ISO 16140-2 to make quicker decisions.
The BAV Institute has such ISO 16140-2 validated 24-hour rapid methods for the detection of listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Cronobacter, and STEC/VTEC. In crisis situations or for batch approvals, these validated rapid methods are frequently used. The BAV Institute uses RT-PCR methods and specific test systems from the company Biotecon for this purpose. These are validated according to ISO 16140-2 and are therefore suitable for examinations according to the Regulation on microbiological criteria VO (EU) 2073/2005. Since these RT-PCR methods are in daily use at BAV Institute, the laboratory has high expertise and experience in these areas.
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References
Food Law Federation e.V. (BLL) / German Trade Association e.V.: Guideline for Good Practice in the Conduct of Microbiological Self-Checks in the Self-Production of Ready-to-Eat Pre-Cut Fruit and Vegetable Products in Retail (12/2016), last retrieved: 02.10.2018 (BLL, 2016)
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Zoonoses Reporting by the BfR. Pathogens of Zoonoses in Germany in 2015, last retrieved: 01.10.2018 (BfR, 2017)
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Press release by BfR dated 27.09.2018. Listeriosis: Rare, but dangerous for elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with reduced immune defense, last retrieved: 01.10.2018 (BfR, 2018)
European Union: RASSF Annual Report 2017, last retrieved: 02.10.2018 (European Union, 2018)
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the Commission dated 29 April 2004 on food hygiene (OJ L 139 of 30.04.2004, p. 1) as amended
Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of the Commission dated 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs (OJ L 338 of 22.12.2005, p. 1) as amended