FSANZ to review Listeria levels in RTE foods

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a proposal to review existing Australian limits for Listeria monocytogenes. Proposal P1017 seeks to review limits for Listeria in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in the Food Standards Code.

Since the limits were first set, preventative food safety requirements have been introduced and new limits have been established internationally, says FSANZ CEO Steve McCutcheon.

“These changes mean it’s time for FSANZ to review the limits in the code to ensure we are providing a nationally consistent approach and, where possible, harmonising our standards with those set by international standard-setting bodies,” McCutcheon said.

“FSANZ is also exploring what tools would need to be developed to help industry and enforcement agencies apply any new approach.”

The review of the limits for Listeria is the first stage of a broader review of microbiological limits in the code. The closing date for submissions on Proposal P1017 is 16 November 2012.