Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready – to – eat food of animal origin

Branka Borović; Tatjana Baltić; Brankica Lakićević; Vesna Janković; Radmila Mitrović; Jelena Jovanović; Slobodan Lilić

Branka Borović Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Tatjana Baltić Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Brankica Lakićević Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Vesna Janković Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Radmila Mitrović Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Jelena Jovanović Institute of meat hygiene and technology
Slobodan Lilić Institute of meat hygiene and technology

Keywords: Lysteria monocytogenes, ready to eat food, prevalence, control

Abstract

In this study, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready– to– eat meat, milk and ﬁ sh products has been investigated. In addition, the presence of L. monocytogenes on food – contact surfaces, as a potential source of food contamination, has been investigated as well. Samples were analyzed by ﬂ uorescent immunoenzyme assay on miniVidas device and by standard microbiological SRPS EN ISO 11290-1:
2010 and SRPS EN ISO 11290-2: 2010 methods. Out of 881 food samples tested, 12,25% were Listeria spp. positive, out of which 8,4% were positive for L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was most commonly found in smoked salmon, which conﬁrmed fact that smoked ﬁsh is a high risk food for the L. monocytogenes growth and survival. Out of 512 samples from the food – contact surfaces, L. monocytogenes was found in 8,78% of swab samples. This paper highlightes the importance of ® implementing appropriate prevention and control measures, veriﬁ cation procedures, and monitoring and maintenance programs that will help to prevent L. monocytogenes food contamination.