| ABSTRACT |
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Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread pathogen of public health concern that is capable of persisting in food processing and retail food environments. Both industry and regulatory agencies continually look for ways to eliminate or prevent the growth of this pathogen. This study investigated the effect of food safety management systems (FSMS) and the presence of a certified food protection manager (CFPM) on the occurrence of proper cold holding and date marking—two food safety practices associated with the control of L. monocytogenes in restaurants. Observational data collected as part of a national study of randomly selected fast food and full-service restaurants were analyzed. Regression analysis found FSMS was the strongest predictor of out-of-compliance observations. Although CFPM was not a significant predictor of out-of-compliance observations when FSMS was taken into account, restaurants with no CFPM employed had a significantly higher mean number of out-of-compliance observations than did restaurants with a CFPM employed but not present and than restaurants with a CFPM present. Having sufficient refrigeration capacity and accessible temperature measuring devices was associated with better cold-holding compliance. Establishments located in jurisdictions requiring the date marking of time-temperature control for safety foods were more likely to properly date mark those foods than those not located in such jurisdictions.
| HIGHLIGHTS |
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Proper cold holding and date marking practices help control Lm growth in foods.
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Most restaurants had ≥1 instance of improper cold holding.
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Less than 50% of all cold holding observations were found to be out of compliance.
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Restaurants in areas requiring date marking of food were more likely to date mark.
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CFPM did not predict out-of-compliance observations when FSMS effects were considered.
FoodWorld 