Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species in small and very small ready-to-eat meat processing plants
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe foodborne disease associated with a high case fatality rate. To prevent product contamination with L. monocytogenes, it is crucial to understand Listeria contamination patterns in the food processing plant environment. The aim of this study was to monitor Listeria contamination patterns for two years in six small or very small ready-to-eat (RTE) meat processing plants using a routine combined cultural and molecular typing program. Each of the six plants enrolled in the study were visited on a bi-monthly basis for a two-year ...