Purpose: To analyze ALLRTE and RTE001 Lm sampling data collected over an 8-year period.
Methods: FSIS evaluated results of Lm testing of meat and poultry product samples collected under the ALLRTE and RTE001 sampling projects for 2005-2012. Samples were tested in accordance with FSIS’s Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook.
Results: FSIS analyzed 24,388 ALLRTE samples collected from 3,007 establishments and 66,674 RTE001 samples collected from 2,776 establishments. ALLRTE samples were 0.38% Lm-positive (range, 0.18-0.64%), and RTE001 samples were 0.42% Lm-positive (range, 0.28%-0.71%). Percent positive rates decreased markedly from 2005–2008 and have remained relatively stable in subsequent years. In 2012, ALLRTE and RTE001 percentage positive rates were 0.18% and 0.34%, respectively. Of 3,007 ALLRTE establishments, 99 produced at least one Lm-positive sample (3.3%), while of 2,776 RTE001 establishments, 249 had at least one Lm-positive sample (9.0%). The 372 positive samples identified (92 ALLRTE, 280 RTE001) encompassed diverse RTE products, including deli meats, hot dogs, sausages, salads/spreads/pates, sliced/diced/shredded products and meat plus non-meat multicomponent products. Most of the Lm-positive samples were obtained from small (57%) or very small (40%) establishments based on HACCP size categories. In addition, 71% of the positive samples were obtained from establishments using only sanitation methods without additional control measures.
Significance: This detailed data analysis helps guide changes in policies, regulations, inspection procedures and enforcement actions relevant to the prevention of Lm contamination in RTE products in producing establishments. In January 2013, ALLRTE and RTE001 were replaced by two new product sampling projects.