Reliable Listeria detection – Compliant, Safe, Validated
Whether you’re a food manufacturer or a contract laboratory – when it comes to Listeria, there is zero tolerance.
Microbiological safety requirements in the food industry are continuously increasing. A key focus: Listeria monocytogenes – a high-risk pathogen for both consumers and producers.
Listeria is one of the most significant microbiological hazards in food production. Its presence can endanger consumer health and lead to product recalls, reputational damage, and financial losses. That’s why fast, reliable, and compliant detection – in both products and the production environment – is essential.
Current regulations in the EU and globally require not only the detection of L. monocytogenes but increasingly also the monitoring of Listeria spp. as a hygiene indicator.
Regulatory Requirements
According to EU Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005, food business operators must comply with microbiological criteria, including:
- Product-specific limits for Listeria monocytogenes (e.g., ≤ 100 CFU/g)
- Differentiation based on growth potential: if growth is possible, the pathogen must be “not detectable in 25 g”
- Hygiene criteria for environmental monitoring – especially in high-risk areas like slicing, packaging, and cold storage
New EU Regulation on Listeria – What Changes in 2026
With Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, the EU tightens microbiological criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods that support bacterial growth.
Key changes from July 1, 2026:
- RTE foods capable of supporting L. monocytogenes growth must not exceed 100 colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g) throughout their shelf life.
- If this cannot be demonstrated, the bacterium must be undetectable in 25 grams of the product.
- Previously, this applied only at the production stage – now also at the retail level
- Goal: Stronger consumer protection in response to rising listeriosis cases in the EU
What this means for manufacturers:
- Stricter internal controls and possibly challenge tests to classify products
- Consistent implementation of hygiene measures and environmental monitoring
Why Test – and How?
Listeria can occur anywhere: in raw materials, on surfaces, in drains – even in seemingly low-risk areas.
Only regular testing with reliable methods ensures:
- Product safety
- Protection against recalls
- Audit readiness for regulatory and customer inspections
Our Solution: SureFast® Listeria 3plex ONE
We offer an AOAC- and MicroVal-certified real-time PCR kit, validated according to ISO 16140-2, for the simultaneous detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp.
Ideal for:
- Routine testing in production & environment
- Retained samples, product release
- HACCP documentation