Strikingly often in the news lately: product recalls of ready-made products because pathogens have been found in the product and/or process.

Apart from the fact that a recall involves a lot of work and costs, it also takes time to improve (production) processes afterwards. And how can you convince yourself that all products will also be returned? Think of frozen products that can have a long THT.

What risk do you run and would you have been able to prevent a recall or limit its consequences? For example, the NVWA requires you to be extra alert to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes in the case of RTE products (which may not be properly heated for consumption). Info sheet 85 states that RTE products with a THT require additional securing for a longer period of 5 days, for example in the form of model calculations or challenge tests. Environmental research on Listeria is also part of the monitoring. This environmental research can also be used for Salmonella.

Eurofins Food Safety Solutions can help you determine the food safety risks you run and advise you on your sampling plan. Where should you take the samples and how do you have them analyzed? We also help you with the substantiation around the assurance of outgrowth Listeria monocytogenes, with which you meet the requirements of info sheet 85 of the NVWA .

For more information, please contact the experts of Eurofins Food Safety Solutions at foodsafetysolutions@ftbnl.eurofins.com