How often to test for Listeria in finished frozen products?

Hello everyone,

I hope anyone could help me here on this topic. 

how often should I collect environmental samples and test Listeria in finished frozen products?

Thank you!

Hi, hcl;

I would recommend testing finished product by lot/batch code for traceability and recall purposes. Not only for L spp. but full micro  

As far as environmental do you mean 3rd party or in house swabs (I would recommend full micro at a minimum monthly).

Hello everyone,

 

I hope anyone could help me here on this topic. 

 

how often should I collect environmental samples and test Listeria in finished frozen products?

 

Thank you!

Hi HCL,

:welcome:

Sampling is usually based on risk, history and range of products.

As you have suggested it is not unusual to have a monthly schedule to cover all products and areas on rotation. In house pathogen testing is usually only carried out on site if your laboratory is separate from the production facility.

If you are starting off I would do increased sampling initially then view the results once you have some history. For environmental sampling you should swab key equipment such as fillers and areas where it is more likely that you will find Listeria such as floors and drains.

Regards,

Tony

Hello everyone,

 

I hope anyone could help me here on this topic. 

 

how often should I collect environmental samples and test Listeria in finished frozen products?

 

Thank you!

Dear hcl,

It may relate to yr product / legislation ?.

generically, for the second part, it rather depends on yr spec. of course. And the intended style of yr sampling, eg daily production / accumulated lot. In theory  the lot size is irrelevant but in practice usually not. :smile:

Assuming micro. spec is "zero" i suggest you have a look at this analogous thread now also running -

http://www.ifsqn.com...ult/#entry67586

I also assume you refer to testing env.samples for Listeria. The sampling procedure as indicated by Tony typically involves a focussed risk assessment which will depend on yr own situation. In USA there are some published, detailed official  procedures for certain industries / typical plant lines, eg, from memory, the FSIS requirements have been previously attached on this forum (added - see post #6 of 2nd link below)

Some collections of related procedures are here -

http://www.ifsqn.com...trg/#entry67055

http://www.ifsqn.com...rol/#entry55872

Rgds / Charles.C