Identification and classification of sampling sites for pathogen environmental monitoring programs for Listeria monocytogenes: Results from an expert elicitation.

Identification and classification of sampling sites for pathogen environmental monitoring programs for Listeria monocytogenes: Results from an expert elicitation. Food Microbiol. 2018 Oct;75:2-17 Authors: Simmons CK, Wiedmann M Abstract Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) programs for Listeria are important to reduce the contamination risk for exposed Ready-To-Eat (RTE) food products with L. monocytogenes. Specific guidance to identify appropriate sampling sites in individual facilities, including equipment and other sites, will facilitate effective L. monocytogenes control and PEM programs. Key goals of Listeria PEM programs are to (i) identify and eliminate niches that allow for Listeria growth and survival and (ii) verify and validate preventive controls such as sanitation programs and sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), sanitary equipment and facility design. Here, an initial list of 77 sampling sites covering Zones 1-4 was assembled based on current literature and guidance documents with initial classification of sites into (i) Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4; (ii) likely niches or transfer sites, and (iii) verification sites or indicator sites. An expert elicitation that included responses from 16 food safety professionals was used to (i) refine sampling site descriptions and identify 6 new sampling sites that were not included in the original list, (ii) refine classification of sites (e.g., into niches versus transfer...
Source: Food Microbiology - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Food Microbiol Source Type: research