The US Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced changes to its sampling methods for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
The changes to the risk-based Lm (Rlm) sampling programme include an increase in the number of product samples collected per sampling unit from three to five. Laboratories will composite the five 25g product samples, increasing the sample size of the analysed test portion from 25g to 125g.
“Increasing the number of samples collected and compositing the samples will make the agency’s sampling procedures more consistent with international practices and conserve laboratory resources,” said a spokesperson.
“In addition, these changes will increase the potential that FSIS will find positive results and help keep contaminated product from reaching the marketplace, thereby improving public health.”
