News Article

FSIS to Host Webinar on Listeria Controls at Retail - Dec. 14, 2017 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST to discuss how to control Listeria in the retail environment.

Posted on December 15, 2017

Blog: Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO)

This webinar is specifically designed for state, U.S. territories and tribal officials and food safety professionals who oversee foodservice retail operations with in-house delicatessens (e.g. grocery stores, convenience stores) to discuss the “FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens.” The Guidance provides specific recommendations for actions retailers can take in the deli area to control Lm contamination of RTE meat and poultry products and includes a Deli Self-Assessment Tool which retailers can use to determine whether they have adopted the appropriate procedures to control Lm.

To join the webinar on December 14, 2017, go to:

https://www.connectmeeting.att.com

Meeting number: 888-844-9904

Code: 5277207

You can also call in for the audio at 1-888-844-9904, passcode: 5277207.

Please RSVP: In order to participate in the webinar you must RSVP by sending an email to evelyn.arce@fsis.usda.gov. You can RSVP up until the time of the webinar. Capacity is limited.

During the webinar, FSIS will discuss the latest findings from its ongoing multi-year nationwide pilot project to assess whether retailers are using the recommendations in its “Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens.” As part of the pilot project, FSIS Compliance Investigators are completing questionnaires on whether retailers are following specific recommendations from the guidance. The questionnaire is used to compare the practices observed in retail delis to the FSIS Retail Lm Guideline in the following areas: product handling, cleaning and sanitizing, facility and equipment controls and employee practices. Information from the pilot project is analyzed quarterly and the results are posted on FSIS’ website.

During the webinar, FSIS officials will also provide background information on Lm and listeriosis, discuss the updated controls for Lm in retail delis and findings from the multi-year nationwide pilot project and take questions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that listeriosis, a serious infection, causes about 1,600 illnesses, 1,500 hospitalizations and 260 death in the United States each year. While listeriosis is rare, the CDC estimates that Lm causes a high level of death compared to other foodborne pathogens. Lm is a bacterium that is found in moist environments, soil and decaying vegetation and can persist along the food continuum. Transfer of the bacteria from the retail environment (e.g., deli cases, slicers and utensils), employees or raw food products is a particular hazard of concern in RTE foods, including meat and poultry products. A FSIS/Food and Drug Administration (FDA) interagency risk assessment found that over 80% of Listeria illnesses associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) meat or poultry products sold at delis (e.g., deli meat) were attributed to product sliced or otherwise handled at the retail store.

For background, the guidance was developed based on key findings from:

The FSIS/FDA ‘‘Interagency Risk Assessment—Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Delicatessens;’’
The available scientific knowledge;
The 2013 FDA Food Code; and
Lessons learned from controlling Lm in FSIS-inspected meat and poultry processing establishments.

The guidance discusses practical steps that retailers can take to prevent certain RTE foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delis and consumed in the home, such as deli meats and deli salads, from becoming contaminated with Lm, and thus, a potential source of listeriosis.

FSIS encourages retailers and public health officials to review the guidance and evaluate the effectiveness of their retail practices and intervention strategies in reducing the risk of listeriosis to consumers from RTE meat and poultry deli products.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Evelyn Arce at (202) 418-8903 by Dec. 6, 2017 or Jeff Tarrant at (202) 690-6497 from Dec. 11-14, 2017.

FSIS resources:

FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens (June 2015)

This guidance document provides specific actions that retailers can take in the delicatessen (deli) area to decrease the potential for Listeria monocytogenes growth or cross-contamination.

pdf format:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/29d51258-0651-469b-99b8-e986baee8a54/Controlling-LM-Delicatessens.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Mobile-friendly version:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/lmdeli

Arabic | Chinese | Spanish | Vietnamese

Brochure: Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens (Brochure)

This brochure provides best practice tips for deli operators.

En Español PDF | Hmong PDF

Audio: Hmong (mp3)

o Guidance for Controlling Lm in Retail Delis

o Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)

o Listeriosis