The European Commission has published long-awaited plans to update the rules around Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods.
The draft regulation removes a section about the absence of Listeria in 25-grams before food has left the immediate control of the food business operator who has produced it.
It now states that Listeria monocytogenes not detected in 25-grams should apply to all situations where foods are placed on the market during their shelf-life and for which the producing food business has not been able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the relevant authority, that the level of Listeria will not exceed the limit of 100 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) throughout their shelf-life.
Comment period
To allow food businesses time to adapt their practices and procedures to the new requirement, the earliest the regulation will become applicable is January 2026. Comments on the proposals are open until May 8, 2024.
FoodWorld 