How to Prevent Listeria in Food Manufacturing Plants
Protect your facility and consumers
Listeria, a bacterium responsible for listeriosis, is one of the most challenging recurring contaminants a food processing facility can face. Once Listeria contamination is detected, removing the bacteria can take months or years, making preventative measures critical to the safe operation of any food processing facility.
Listeria monocytogenes is especially difficult to prevent because it is common in normal water and soil. Additionally, animals can be infected without showing any outward signs of illness, making Listeria especially prevalent in foods of animal origin, like soft cheeses, prepared meats, and raw milk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Listeria Infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, making cleaning and sanitization essential in food processing facilities.
Cleaning Equipment
Cleaning equipment such as foamers is crucial in combating listeria in food processing plants. When used correctly, these tools help remove food residue and organic matter, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria to thrive. Foamers effectively penetrate crevices and hard-to-reach areas, while sprays deliver sanitizing solutions evenly across surfaces. Regular and thorough cleaning with these tools, combined with proper sanitation practices, significantly reduces the risk of listeria contamination, protecting both the food products and the health of consumers.
Cleaning Chemicals
The first step to preventing a Listeria outbreak is cleaning all surfaces with the right chemicals and cleaning agents. Every surface that food, personnel, or equipment comes in contact with can become a vector for transmission of the Listeria bacteria. For food processing facilities that see high levels of activity, the right chemicals must be used to ensure food safety in all areas of operation. The chemicals highlighted below are some of the safe and effective solutions to fighting Listeria and ensuring food safety in food processing facilities. We also have a selection of ATP products for testing between cleaning and sanitizer applications to ensure effective cleaning and sanitation processes.
Sanitizers
Sanitization is an essential step in Listeria prevention in a food processing plant. When used on a clean surface, sanitizer can reduce harmful microorganisms to a safe level. It is essential to clean any surface before utilizing sanitizer – common sanitizers are less effective on a dirty surface with grease, oil, and dust. Choosing an effective sanitizing agent is vital to fight Listeria bacteria.
Let Nelson-Jameson be your Listeria prevention partner. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs.
Cleaning Tools
The CDC recommends following the “Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill” protocol to prevent the spread of Listeria. This protocol starts with thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all equipment and surfaces before use. In addition to using the right chemicals, a proper cleaning protocol includes the right cleaning tools. To get the most thorough cleaning for each surface, use a cleaning tool to ensure that the entire surface and all crevices are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The Listeria bacteria does not need much space to survive and grow.
Combat Listeria with a Color-Coded Program
A complete color-coded program helps sanitation by assuring that plant tools stay in the areas in which they are meant to be used, performing the jobs they are meant to do. This helps stop bacterial migration between areas of the plant, and even from one application to another.
Nelson-Jameson brings together the most extensive collection of color-coded products for materials handling, product handling, janitorial, safety, apparel, QA/QC, and metal-detectable applications to help fight Listeria.
Thermometers
Thermometers are crucial tools in food processing plants for combating Listeria and ensuring food safety. Ensure temperature control, monitor critical control points (CCPs), get early detection of issues such as fluctuations, and stay compliant with these thermometer solutions at Nelson-Jameson.
Help prevent cross-contamination with color-coded cleaning tools
Consider implementing a color-coded program in your facility to help reduce cross-contamination. Shop products or complete our specialized survey to see if a color-coded program is right for your facility.
Pathogen Detection
Nelson-Jameson offers molecular detection tests that deliver unmatched reliability and accuracy, empowering food producers and contract labs to protect their consumers. With our pathogen detection solutions, you won’t have to compromise on quality control for your environmental monitoring program.
Listeria tests
Listeria testing kits are vital for food processing plants to ensure the safety of their products and protect public health. See our selection of kits to test for Listeria here.
What can you do to prevent Listeria?
Information provided from the following sources is a great way for consumers to combat the threat of Listeria.