Listeria monocytogenes (LM) has proven to be present and persistent in the retail environment. The challenges in addressing the issue have proven that a multifaceted approach must be taken to address and have a meaningful impact on Listeria’s ability to inhabit a retail environment. An approach that takes into account the unique features and  characteristics of the bacteria, the unique operational and facility design of the retail store and an evolving and targeted combination of technology and procedures of a cleaning a sanitation program all must be a component of a successful Listeria management plan.    

This session will involve three speakers that will present the latest scientific data about the scope and depth of the prevalence of Listeria at retail, the unique operational and facility challenges a retail environment presents and strategies that have proven successful in addressing the Lm issue. Additionally, a presentation of analytical data and learnings from an extensive field analysis conducted in 2015 of over 100 retail stores will be shared. The study showed remarkable success in identifying Lm locations, removing Lm from floors and drains, using specific tools and technologies and provided new insights about facility design and material substrates that can either complicate or enhance a food operator’s success in managing Listeria in an environment.

Presentations