Food Act Report 2009/2010 - SA Health - SA.Gov.au

Appendix 9ConclusionThis is the first year of a five-year sampling program. Five out of 60 samples had Listeria spp. present, in three casesthis was further identified as Listeria monocytogenes.While sample numbers are small, no samples of packaged ready-to-eat meat products that do support the growth ofL monocytogenes were found to contain L monocytogenes. This may be due to the stringent controls now in place forready-to-eat meat producers.Two samples of unpackaged Ready-to-Eat Meats did identify the presence of L monocytogenes and subsequentenvironmental testing at retail level also confirmed the presence of L monocytogenes in one of these venues. Whilefollow up action was taken to ensure food safety risks were being managed, it should be noted that the short shelflife of these products are likely to restrict opportunity for the growth of L monocytogenes to significant numbers.Notwithstanding this observation, the importance of good cleaning and sanitation and cross-contamination controlsmust be emphasised as imperative in retail food businesses.ReferencesCommunicable Disease Control Branch, Notifications received 16 September 2006–15 September 2009.Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Food Industry Recall Protocol, a guide to conducting a food recall and writinga food recall plan, sixth edition, September 2008Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Guidelines for the microbiological examination of ready to eat foods,December 2001Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Recall Guidelines for Packaged Ready-to-eat Foods found to containListeria monocytogenes at point of sale, April 2001Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 1.6.1page 81Food Act Report Year ending 30 June 2010