The Canadian position on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods

Abstract

The Canadian regulatory policy on Listeria contaminated foods, based on the principles of HACCP, was developed using a health risk assessment approach. Our updated policy reflects current knowledge that the risk of contamination by L. monocytogenes can be reduced, but the organism cannot always be eradicated from finished product or the environment. The policy directs inspection and compliance action to ready-to-eat (RTE) foods which are capable of supporting growth of the organism. More specifically, the highest priority is given to those RTE foods which have been causally linked to listeriosis and those with a greater than 10 day shelf-life. The policy is based on a combination of inspection, environmental sampling and product testing.Foods have been placed into three categories, based upon health risk. Products in Category 1 have been causally linked to outbreaks of listeriosis and receive the highest priority in inspection and compliance activities. The presence of L. monocytogenes in these RTE foods will trigger a Class I recall with consideration of a public alert. Category 2 contains all other RTE foods which are capable of supporting growth of L. monocytogenes and have a shelf life exceeding 10 days. These products require a Class II recall with possible consideration of a public alert and receive the second highest priority in inspection and compliance activity. Category 3 contains two types of RTE food products; those supporting growth with a < 10 day shelf life and those not supporting growth. These products receive the lowest priority in terms of inspection and compliance action. For Category 3 RTE foods, factors such as the presence or absence of GMPs, levels of L. monocytogenes in the food (action level 100 cfu/g), and/or a health hazard evaluation are all considered in the compliance action taken.