Listeria contamination and controls
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause the severe and sometimes life threatening food borne illness known as listeriosis. This is primarily of concern for vulnerable groups such as people over 60, people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women and new born babies. It can take from 1 to 90 days from consumption of Listeria contaminated food for the illness to develop. The illness causes a range of symptoms including mild eye and skin infections, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis and in more severe cases can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning), miscarriage, meningitis and even death in the most vulnerable patients.
Legislation
There are specific requirements on Listeria in the legislation; "Food business operators manufacturing ready-to-eat foods, which may pose a Listeria monocytogenes risk for public health, shall sample the processing areas and equipment for Listeria monocytogenes as part of their sampling scheme". Ref: Regulation 2073 / 2005 on microbiological criteria of foodstuffs, Article 5. This regulation also sets limits for Listeria in ready to eat foods.
Click here to read the full article including details on "number of Listeria related recall alerts", "where it is found", "how food is contaminated" and "how to reduce the risk of contamination in the factory".
To find out how RQA's consultancy and training services can assist you in this and other issues click here to contact us.
Look out for the forthcoming RQA Training website launch, email shots as below
Case Studies
|
Product Grapes Incident Chemical Country Lithuania Date 11/05/2010 |
Grapes are being recalled from consumers in Lithuania following an official control on the market. The chemical substance of chlormequat from pesticide residues has been identified in grapes and it poses potential health risk for consumers. The distribution has been restricted to Lithuania and public notices were placed in the relevant stores to inform consumers about this recall notification.
|
|---|---|
|
Product Lettuce Incident Escherichia coli Country United States Date 06/05/2010 |
An American manufacturer is voluntarily recalling products containing romaine lettuce with a use by date of May 12 or earlier because they have the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145 bacteria. The company is working with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to inform consumers of this recall. The recall notification has been posted on the FDA website. |
|
Product Plastic bottles Incident Risk of choking Country United Kingdom Date 12/05/2010 |
Following the company's own quality checks the product is being recalled from consumers in the UK. The products pose a risk of choking if the small cap from the bottle is put into the mouth. Customers were advised to stop using the product and return it to the relevant stores for a full refund. The Trading Standards Institute website has posted the recall notification. |
|---|---|
|
Product Aquarium lamp Incident Risk of electric shock Country France Date 01/05/2010 |
A Chinese manufacturer is voluntarily recalling its products from the market in France. The product poses a risk of electric shock because water can enter the lamp socket compartment where there are live parts. The product does not comply with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the European standard EN 60598. No incidents have been reported to date. Consumers were advised to return the product for a full refund to the place of purchase. |