Distribution center protocol for a positive listeria test
We have started to do environmental testing on air units, drains and reefer trailers in our distribution center. My question would be, what would be the suggested protocol be in the event of a positive result? Immediately re-test? Clean and re-test? I'm curious to the thoughts from the group, and why you would choose the suggested protocol. Thanks All!
full deep clean/sanitize and retest
I guess you could do a retest right away, but you also don't want to give the listeria any more time to proliferate. The object is to get ahead of it before it invades your entire plant. Now, there have been know to be false positives (and negatives for that matter) occur with listeria, but given how wide a recall a DC would have to implement, I don't see the point in waiting
As for the trailers, I would almost (i type with a cringe) expect to see it here, which doesn't mean it should be, but given that listeria is everywhere, and the bed of the trailer is covered in footprints...you get what I'm saying.
As someone who worked through a massive listeria recall.......you can never be too clean or too sure
We would clean/sanitize then retest.
In a corrective action preventative action form we would detail the area to be re-cleaned and a targeted testing to determine if there are any areas harboring the pathogen. Like a testing in concentric distance away from the spot of concern and then outwards. This makes sure that the pathogen isn't found somewhere else and if there is an area that harbors the pathogen it is found.
We have started to do environmental testing on air units, drains and reefer trailers in our distribution center. My question would be, what would be the suggested protocol be in the event of a positive result? Immediately re-test? Clean and re-test? I'm curious to the thoughts from the group, and why you would choose the suggested protocol. Thanks All!
USA probably/understandably for historical reasons is Listeria "paranoidal".
As a corollary to Post2 I would seek some help/advice from yr anticipated Listeria "kit" supplier who should be able to advise likely "findings"/corrective actions for yr specific application.
Be aware that (a) Listeria species are ubiquitous in the environment, (b) only L.monocytogenes is regarded as a significant human pathogen.
I know you are a distribution center vs a food manufacturer of RTE foods, but this guide about listeria from the FDA may be of use.
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Vector swab to make sure it hasn’t spread nearby. Deep clean. Three consecutive negatives is the standard to be certain that Listeria has been eradicated. We test for Listeria ssp.