Ready-To-Eat Meat Products, Environmental Testing Programs and Listeria and OMAFRA-licensed facilities
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen and the causative agent of listeriosis. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) conducts testing for Listeria monocytogenes ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products produced in Freestanding Meat Plants (FSMPs) and is exploring expanding environmental swabbing in FSMPs for Listeria spp.
On June 1, 2005, Ontario Regulation 31/05 Meat, under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 (FSQA) (administered by OMAFRA) took effect. Under this regulation, inspection of the FSMPs is shared between OMAFRA and public health units in Ontario.
This session will highlight results of a pilot study in environmental swabbing for Listeria spp. at 85 FSMPs from 2016 to 2018. This work is valuable as it explores a potential gap in food safety and will be used to assist with future planning of inspection and increased collaboration among participating agencies.