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Listeria monocytogenes in Australian ready-to-eat meats: risks and controls

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 23:41 authored by Jenson, I, Lyndal MellefontLyndal Mellefont, Thomas RossThomas Ross, John Sumner
This paper explores options available to the Australian smallgoods industry for control of Listeria in readyto-eat meats. Risk assessment suggested that around one third of human cases of listeriosis in Australia may be due to ready-to-eat meats. The likely effectiveness of a number of risk mitigation options in reducing cases of disease was examined. Reduction in contamination at die manufacturing plant, in-pack pasteurisation and inhibition of L. monocytogenes growth through antimicrobial additives were modelled. Reducing contamination at the point of packing is dependent upon good hygienic practices, some difficult to implement, but antimicrobial additives are available for a range of products. Recall guidelines in Australia and regulatory frameworks in other countries reflect a relatively low risk of listeriosis from foods in which L. monocytogenes is unable to grow. Experimental data collected on ready-to-eat meat products produced in Australia demonstrated the value of antimicrobial additives in preventing the growth of L. monocytogenes during the shelf-life of the product. A recently published growth/no growth predictive model may assist the industry and regulators to determine the relative safety of ready-to-eat meat products.

History

Publication title

Food Australia

Volume

61

Issue

6

Pagination

240-244

ISSN

1032-5298

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Inc

Place of publication

Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Food safety

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