Controlling Listeria

The FSIS’ updated “Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens” discusses steps that retailers can take to prevent certain ready-to-eat foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delis, such as deli meats and deli salads, from becoming contaminated with Lm and thus a source of listeriosis. FSIS has included information from the FDA Food Code, scientific literature, other guidance documents, and lessons learned from FSIS verification sampling and review of sanitation programs for Lm in meat and poultry processing establishments.