IngentaConnect Listeria monocytogenes: Low Levels Equal Low Risk

Authors: Chen Y.¹; Ross W.H.²; Scott V.N.¹; Gombas D.E.¹

Source: Journal of Food Protection®, Volume 66, Number 4, 1 April 2003 , pp. 570-577(8)

Publisher: International Association for Food Protection

Abstract:

Because of the public health significance of L. monocytogenes, U.S. regulatory agencies established a policy whereby ready-to-eat foods contaminated with the organism at a detectable level are deemed adulterated. This ''zero tolerance''policy, however, makes no distinction between foods contaminated at high and low levels. We have reported elsewhere that a survey of over 31,000 ready-to-eat retail food samples, representing eight product categories, showed an overall prevalence rate of 1.82% for these foods. In this study, we used the food survey data in combination with concurrent data regarding illness in the population consuming the foods, together with other variable factors, to derive a dose-response model. The confidence interval for prevalence was 1.68 to 1.97%. L. monocytogenes levels, which ranged from-2 to 6 log CFU/g, were adequately described by the distribution beta (0.29, 2.68, -1.69, 6.1). An exponential dose-response model was obtained, with an R value (essentially the probability of a single cell causing illness) of 1.76 × 10-10 for the population at the highest risk. A microbial risk assessment based on the model shows that an alternative to the zero tolerance strategy has a greater risk reduction potential and suggests that a management strategy focusing on the concentration of L. monocytogenes rather than its presence alone may have a greater impact on the improvement of public health by facilitating the development of control measures to limit the maximum levels of L. monocytogenes in foods.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: National Food Processors Association, 1350 I Street N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20005, USA 2: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Banting Building, AL 2203B, Tunneys' Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OL2, Canada

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$37.00 plus tax