Environmental Monitoring

Study Shows Poor Recovery of Listeria Using Cotton Swabs for Environmental Monitoring

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Sponges far outperformed cotton swabs in laboratory experiments and real-world sampling in an RTE food production facility. The findings align with existing recommendations supporting the use of sponge-based sampling with neutralizers for environmental monitoring.

Study Demonstrates Effective Listeria Environmental Monitoring in Hydroponic Produce Facility

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.

Report Describes How UK Food Processors Are Advancing Microbial Control

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

Drawing upon insights shared by UK food safety professionals, a report produced by the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN)/Quadram Institute identifies emerging defenses against microbiological risks in food production environments, including science-backed approaches, advanced technologies, and culture-based initiatives.

Experts Share Lessons from a Successful Listeria ‘Seek and Destroy’ Process

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Nofima recently reported on a successful “Seek and Destroy” process carried out by a smoked salmon producer implicated in a listeriosis outbreak, which demonstrated the importance of hygienic design and WGS, and the limitations of standard cleaning and sampling.

EU Provides Guidance on Shelf-Life Studies to Reflect New Listeria Criteria for RTE Foods

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:39:16 -0500

The European Commission has published a revised guidance document on monitoring and shelf-life studies for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in compliance with recent amendments to Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods.

Ep. 202. Dr. Kathy Knutson: What Does a Robust Environmental Monitoring Program Look Like?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Kathy Knutson, consultant and PCQI educator, about how to create and implement a robust and comprehensive environmental monitoring program.

Study Compares Culture-Based and Alternative Environmental Monitoring Methods for Listeria

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:15:23 -0500

A recent study has analyzed methods of environmental monitoring for Listeria monocytogenes in food production facilities, comparing two alternative methods against a traditional culture-based method.

EFSA: Poor Hygienic Equipment Design Most Crucial Risk Factor for Persistent Pathogens in Food Production

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:47:23 -0500

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published a scientific opinion that identified the most relevant persistent microorganisms in food and feed production environments to be Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter sakazakii, as well as risk factors and interventions associated with these pathogens.

Foodborne Salmonella Outbreak Points to Drainage Systems as a Contamination Risk Factor

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:44:04 -0500

A recent analysis of a Canadian foodborne salmonellosis outbreak investigation has highlighted the importance of considering possible aerosolization of bacteria from drainage systems in restaurants as a risk factor for foodborne illness outbreaks.

Case Studies Reveal Importance of EMPs for Listeria at Food Production Facilities

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:19:54 -0400

A recent study carried out environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) for Listeria monocytogenes at three food production facilities in Japan with the aim of developing EMPs that are relevant to Japanese food businesses and to encourage more widespread adoption of EMPs.

Novolyze Environmental Monitoring Platform Adds Predictive Insight, Machine Learning

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:00:24 -0400

Novolyze’s predictive and machine learning-powered environmental monitoring platform helps food manufacturers maintain the highest levels of food safety and quality.

Novolyze Upgrades Environmental Monitoring Program Solution

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:51:13 -0400

Novolyze has announced the upgrade of its Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) solution to include advanced predictive analytics and machine learning.

CPS-Funded Study Provides Insight Into Listeria Contamination in Produce Processing Plants

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 11:17:43 -0400

Through sampling activities and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis, a recent research project funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) revealed insights about the movement of L. monocytogenes across a processing facility, the persistence of the pathogen, and the efficacy of biocides and sanitation practices.

Determining Sanitation Effectiveness with a Robust Environmental Monitoring Program

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Many methods are available for verifying the viability of a sanitation program, and most facilities use a combination of different methods to ensure that the sanitation program is performing as expected. Pathogen environmental monitoring (PEM) programs are a key prerequisite program to a sanitation program and to any facility's overall food safety program. There is no one-size-fits-all PEM program for facilities; rather, a PEM program is based on a facility's risk factors and what product(s) the facility manufactures.

Is CEA Being Oversold?

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Controlled Environment Agriculture is being touted as safer, fresher, and more nutritious, but no fresh produce operation is without hazards.

Testing to Continue to Increase in 2021

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 15:00:48 -0400

As food processors continue to recover from 2020, we wanted to find out more about their plans for 2021. One thing was clear: Testing—especially environmental monitoring—will continue to grow at a rapid pace.

How and Why Environmental Monitoring Programs Add to the Bottom Line

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:00:00 -0500

Environmental monitoring programs, when performed properly, can reduce the price of nonconformance, adding to a food processor’s bottom line.

Getting Sanitation Out of the Reclean/Retest Rut

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Food companies and regulators have become increasingly vigilant for environmental pathogens in manufacturing facilities, with problems triggering swab-a-thons and even recalls.

Food Safety Priorities and Plans for 2020 – Part 2

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:04:00 -0500

Part 2 of what processors expect to focus on in the year 2020.

Estimating the Cost of Environmental Monitoring

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0500

Are you required to perform environmental monitoring under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Preventive Controls for Human Food rule? It depends.

Strategies for Organizing Environmental Monitoring Data for Optimal Trending and Root-Cause Analysis

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 00:09:00 -0500

Trending environmental monitoring data can help with a root-cause analysis to uncover the origins of the positive finding and may inform the mitigation strategy.

Keys to Effective Monitoring for Listeria

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 00:03:00 -0400

For ready-to-eat food processors, developing and implementing pathogen environmental monitoring programs are important parts of their sanitation controls.

Post-Sanitation Microbiology Sampling

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:01:00 -0500

The MegaSampler, a sponge on a stiff plastic rod, does an excellent job of sampling both large and small surfaces in the food production facility with minimal effort.

Collecting and Interpreting Multi-site ATP Testing Data

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Sanitation verification systems using ATP are standard methods for evaluating and monitoring sanitation efficacy at food production and foodservice organizations.

Listeria: An Important Focus of Environmental Monitoring

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:02:00 -0400

The number of reported incidents and recalls related to Listeria and L. monocytogenes has been increasing, and processors are making efforts to rid their facilities of harborage organisms and sites.

Control of Listeria monocytogenes on Food-Contact and Noncontact Surfaces by Antimicrobial Coatings

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:02:00 -0500

In the course of foodborne listeriosis outbreak investigations, a breakdown in plant sanitation is frequently cited as the root cause.

Verification of Effective Sanitation Using A3® ATP Technology

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

New 3A® ATP Technology offers better verification of effective sanitation and is an improvement over conventional tests.

Save Time, Gain Efficiencies with Automated ATP Test Tracking

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Reduce time and increase efficiency with automated ATP test tracking to make regulatory compliance and audit preparation easier.

Allergen Detection Requires a Multipronged Approach

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Food processors have been struggling to be able to identify and eliminate the allergens that cause allergic reactions in susceptible consumers.

Hygienic Material Handling and Cleaning Tools for Critical Environments

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

The most efficient way to ensure a sanitary processing facility is the implementation of a detailed color-coding system.