Listeria media coverage creating false
impression
Source of Article: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1418702 Letters
to the Editor
Posted 9 hours ago
The recent media coverage of the finding of listeria in a meat processing establishment is
unwarranted and is creating a false impression of both the industry and Listeria is a common environmental contaminant and responsible companies
routinely carry out tests on samples collected from the processing
environment to verify the effectiveness of their sanitation programs. The
sampling programs are designed to find Listeria if it is present, so that
sanitation measures can be adjusted to eliminate it. In this context, and given the nature of the organism, finding it in the
processing environment (e. g. on walls, floors or in drains) is not uncommon;
it is an expected outcome of testing. This pattern -- testing, finding,
sanitizing and re-testing to verify effect --is repeated at whatever frequency
an establishment needs to maintain and demonstrate effective hygienic
control. Eliminating or reducing Listeria to undetectable levels in the
processing environment is the surest way to prevent contamination of
ready-to-eat food products. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) fulfills the valuable role of
overseeing the performance of the food industry. In the case of federally
registered meat processing establishments, diligent CFIA inspectors carry out
onsite inspections and audits to verify that the establishments have the
necessary measures in place to achieve control over Listeria in their
operations. When deficiencies are noted, the inspectors can exercise their
authority to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are taken. The Canadian Meat Council and its members are committed to doing
everything necessary to produce safe products and to protect consumers from
food safety hazards. We are also determined to support and contribute to CFIA
efforts to elaborate, implement and verify compliance with sound science-and
risk-based policies to further strengthen In that vein, the Canadian Meat Council, in partnership with other
national industry associations, has formed an Industry Listeria monocytogenes Working Group to facilitate the industry's
participation in CFIA's current policy consultation
process. The working group is also in the process of developing guidance for
the industry in the form of best pactices for listeria control in meat processing establishments to
broaden and further enhance the application of measures that will raise the
standard for listeria control in James M. Laws, executive director Canadian Meat Council |
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