Controlling Listeria in Delis

The FSIS released its “FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens” that discusses steps retailers can take to prevent listeriosis associated with the consumption of certain ready-to-eat foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delis and consumed in the home, such as deli meats and deli salads. FSIS encourages retailers to review the guidance and evaluate the effectiveness of their retail practices and intervention strategies in reducing the risk of listeriosis to consumers from these meat and poultry deli products. The agency will consider all comments submitted and will revise the best-practices guidance as necessary.