Project R-3927

Development of predictive models for the growth of L. monocytogenes and for the compliance with L. monocytogenes food safety criteria in foods covered by the baseline survey prevalence of L. monocytogenes contaminated RTE foods. (Research)

Predictive models for microbial growth of L. monocytogenes will be developed under the various storage conditions. These models will use enumeration data from the surveys in packaged fish at two different time points (at sampling and at end of shelf-life). The effect of temperature, pH and water activity will be addressed. The development of predictive models for the compliance with the L. monocytogenes criteria is laid down in Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for food. The purpose of the model-based approach will be to assess whether the observed prevalence estimates of L. monocytogenes in packaged fish, in soft or semi-soft cheeses and in packaged heat-treated meat products at the end of the shelf-life are compatible with the L. monocytogenes criteria described in the above Regulation.

01 April 2012 - 30 June 2014