Listeriosis,
(i.e. systemic infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes) is
a notifiable disease in Australia and is almost always acquired by eating
foods contaminated with the pathogen. Outbreaks have been associated with foods
that are usually refrigerated, ready-to-eat and with a long shelf-life.
Currently Food Standards Australia New Zealand is investigating changing the
criteria for L. monocytogenes limits to align with
international (Codex) standards for two broad categories of ready-to-eat foods:
those in which growth can occur, and those in which growth will not occur. The
change in criteria is dependent on their capacity to support growth of the
organism or not. This presentation will provide an overview of modelling of the
ecology of L. monocytogenes in foods and the use
of challenge studies to evaluate whether ready-to-eat foods will support the
growth of L. monocytogenes.