There was a great response to our recent article on Listeria. Needless to say it has been a very topical issue in the last two months.  We have done a lot of research on how to eradicate the problem and have come across some great resources to share with you.

Listeria reading list

There is draft guidance from the FDA in relation to controlling:

https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm073110.htm

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/UCM535981.pdf

The Grocery manufacturers Association also published a great resource:

http://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/files/208833.pdf

One of the most practical guides which includes cleaning practices and construction tips is:

http://www.idfa.org/docs/default-source/resource-library/guidance-for-the-us-dairy-industry-10-19-15.pdf

Although this is for the dairy industry the principles are valid for us all.

Similarly,  this article is in relation to fresh produce, but it’s great for general application:

http://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/februarymarch-2015/listeria-guidance-best-practices-in-produce-facilities/

Down under the New Zealand government has put together a four part guidance document which you will definitely benefit from:

http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/science-risk/programmes/hazard-risk-management/listeria.htm

We hope this helps.  Sorry there are no short cuts – you will have to do the reading here! This is a complex issue but the solutions are in the fundamentals we so often overlook!

So if we had one tip to give it would be this…
Clean. Dry. Manage footwear.