Stricter EU Regulations on Listeria in RTE Foods Now in Effect; Ireland Offers Compliance Guidance
In 2024, the European Commission amended Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods to expand the requirements for food business operators (FBOs) regarding Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, which are now in effect as of July 1, 2026.
The amended regulation extends the responsibility for ensuring that RTE foods placed on the market will not support the growth of L. monocytogenes above 100 colony forming units (CFU/g) throughout their shelf life from just the original food manufacturer to FBOs across the supply chain.
Guidance for European Businesses in Complying with RTE Food Listeria Requirements
To help food businesses comply with the new regulations, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued new guidance. Generally, FSAI recommends that FBOs at all points along the supply chain:
- Implement prerequisite programs (i.e., good hygiene practices that are the basic conditions and activities necessary to maintain a hygienic environment)
- Implement Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based food safety management systems
- Test against microbiological criteria, as appropriate, when validating and verifying the correct functioning of the HACCP-based procedures and other hygiene control measures
- Implement a robust environmental monitoring program for Listeria.
Previously, the European Commission released updated guidance on monitoring and shelf-life studies for L. monocytogenes in RTE foods in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2073/2005.
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