Contamination, Prevention and Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Food Processing and Food Service Environments

1. Introduction

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium which is ubiquitous in nature, and occurs frequently in food processing and handling environments [1]. The consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can result in a disease known as listeriosis, to which pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable [2]. In healthy adults, listeriosis is most likely to manifest as mild gastroenteritis. However, in some instances it can result in more severe symptoms, which can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as endocarditis, encephalitis or meningitis, and severe sepsis [3].

Inadequate food hygiene practices during food preparation are primarily responsible for the propagation of the bacterium and contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods (Table 1) during processing, distribution and handling [4]. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are more likely to experience L. monocytogenes outbreaks than renowned large-scale food processing enterprises owing to differences in the implementation of food safety measures [5].

RTE foods, which are often stored at low temperatures, are the type most susceptible to contamination with L. monocytogenes since the bacterium is psychrotrophic and possesses the ability to survive and grow in the presence of many food preservation systems, such as low pH and high salt concentrations [6]. The contamination of minimally processed fruit and vegetable products with L. monocytogenes is often a concern, considering that these foods, which are attractive to consumers, are often not subjected to lethal treatments during processing to inactivate potential pathogens [7]. Moreover, the manner in which RTE vegetables are sliced can affect the survival of Listeria and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures in the finished products. Hand tearing or manual slicing with a razor blade reduced the survival and growth of E. coli and L. innocua, probably because of less damage to the vegetable tissues and minimal leakage of nutrients from damaged plant tissues [8].

L. monocytogenes has the ability to attach itself to food preparation contact surfaces and grow to form protective biofilms, which generally protect the bacterial cells from antimicrobial action during cleaning and sterilisation processes [9]. However, low concentrations (<10 μg/mL) of paenibacterin have been found to suppress the growth of L. monocytogenes within the biofilm matrix as well as to down-regulate the genes involved in biofilm formation [10]. Considering that L. monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen of public interest [11], the objective of this paper is to review issues related to the occurrence and growth of L. monocytogenes in food processing and food service environments.

2. Health and economic impacts of listeriosis

Globally, billions of people are at risk every year and thousands die as a result of consuming unsafe food [12]. In the United States of America (USA), listeriosis has been identified as the third leading cause of death from food-borne illness, after non-typhoidal Salmonella and Toxoplasma gondii, despite its rarity [13]. In Africa, food-borne illness continues to be a major health threat, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, pregnant women and their newborns as well as immune-compromised individuals such as elderly people and those with HIV/AIDS [14].

In humans, invasive listeriosis is characterized by septicemia, meningitis, and abortion in pregnant women [15]. Listeriosis in pregnant women can result in premature labor, stillbirth, abortion, and neonatal infection, with high neonatal mortality [16]. It should be noted that L. monocytogenes infection in healthy individuals does not necessarily result in invasive disease. The incubation period of listeria-related gastroenteritis can range from 1 to 24 days, but the average incubation period has been found to be less than 24 hours. After the incubation period, prominent symptoms will include fever, then diarrhea, arthralgia, myalgia, and headache. Other common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. In healthy individuals, the illness tends to last between 1 and 3 days, with a very low rate of hospitalization [17].

Listeriosis may have an economic impact in the form of costs incurred by the government in funding health institutions to deal with the problem [18]. Other costs can take the form of legal costs emanating from lawsuits imposed on food production companies arising from illness and death due listeriosis [19].

3. Ecology and growth conditions of Listeria monocytogenes in the food chain

L. monocytogenes are ubiquitous bacteria that can be found in different environments such as soil and water, and especially in food-manufacturing environments [20]. Many Listeria species have been isolated from soil, vegetation, sewage, water, animal feed, fresh and frozen meat including poultry, slaughterhouse wastes and the feces of healthy animals, including humans [21]. Animals have been found to be carriers of L. monocytogenes, hence the contamination of foods of animal origin, such as meats and dairy products [22].

L. monocytogenes can survive a low pH of 5.5 through a phenomenon known as the acid tolerance response (ATR), which causes cells to be more resistant in adverse acidic conditions [23]. The bacterium, which is notable for its persistence in food-manufacturing environments, is relatively salt-tolerant and is able to grow at refrigerator temperature, and is therefore often associated with the consumption of raw or minimally processed and often chilled RTE foods (e.g., soft and semi-soft cheese and smoked fish products), which are consumed without further processing [24, 25].

4. The occurrence of L. monocytogenes in the food processing environment

L. monocytogenes is able to attach to food processing surfaces and multiply to form biofilms in inaccessible locations in processing facilities [9]. Biofilms protect the bacterium against antimicrobial action, enabling it to colonize food processing equipment, conveyor belts, pipes, floors and drainage systems and to persist for months or even years, cross-contaminating different surfaces in food processing plants [26]. The formation of biofilms on various food contact surfaces by L. monocytogenes makes it extremely difficult to control this pathogen effectively, especially in processing plants where inadequate cleaning has been carried out [27].

5. The occurrence of L. monocytogenes in RTE foods and food contact surfaces in food service facilities

RTE foods have gained considerable popularity in many developing and developed countries because of their perceived better flavor, affordability and accessibility [28]. However, numerous L. monocytogenes outbreaks have been associated with RTE foods [29]. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in RTE food is a major concern relating to food safety because RTE foods are consumed without further processing (cooking) or washing at home (Table 2). It is for this reason that stringent microbiological guidelines need to be formulated and followed to ensure that processors produce RTE food that is safe [30]. Implicated RTE foods include RTE deli meats, raw milk and other raw milk dairy products (soft cheese) (Table 1). Between 1999 and 2011, 73% of all food-borne outbreaks of listeriosis that occurred in the United Kingdom (UK) were attributed to the consumption of sandwiches [31].

The presence of L. monocytogenes in RTE food is attributed to contamination during production, distribution or storage [32]. L. monocytogenes contamination in various food factory environments has been reported at nearly all stages of processing ([5] and Rodrigues et al. [33]). When compared with other food-borne pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli 015:H7, and Salmonella and Shigella species, L. monocytogenes has been found to be most prevalent on food contact surfaces in food service establishments [34]. Owing to its ability to grow in contaminated food during storage at refrigeration temperature, L. monocytogenes has been found in raw and processed RTE foods that required low temperature storage [35]. The high volume of food products such as meat, vegetables, dairy products and fruits that pass through the cold chain in food service establishments could contribute to the high incidence of L. monocytogenes in RTE food and on food contact surfaces [34, 36].

Inadequate cleaning procedures and hygiene practices can promote the formation of biofilms on food contact surfaces in food service establishments, thereby increasing the chances of L. monocytogenes cross-contamination within food service facilities [37]. Because biofilms are able to resist most sanitisers and disinfectants used, cross-contamination by L. monocytogenes poses a serious food safety risk in food service establishments, including domestic kitchens [38]. The ease with which L. monocytogenes is able to adhere to food contact surfaces and form biofilms increases the likelihood of its persisting on food contact surfaces, and hence cross-contaminating the final food products [39, 40]. The presence of food debris on food contact surfaces encourages the formation of L. monocytogenes biofilms [41].

6. The occurrence of L. monocytogenes on food contact surfaces in domestic kitchens

Inadequate hygiene practices in domestic kitchens may contribute to the persistence of food-borne pathogens, thereby compromising the safety of foods produced there [42]. Home kitchens have been found to be a significant location where food-borne illnesses are acquired. A survey conducted in the domestic kitchens of consumers aged 60 and above in the UK indicated that a large number of foods in home refrigerators were beyond the use-by date and up to 66% of opened RTE foods had been stored beyond the recommended 2 days after opening [43]. A study of the occurrence of Listeria spp. on food contact surfaces in domestic kitchens in the Netherlands found high levels of L. monocytogenes on dish-cloths and in bathrooms, but low levels on kitchen sinks, washing-up brushes and refrigerators [44]. Many researchers have found high levels of L. monocytogenes on refrigerator surfaces in domestic kitchens [45].

7. Legislation relating to the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in foods

Most food legislation stipulates the microbial criteria for food-borne bacteria such as L. monocytogenes or their toxins and metabolites in specific foods. These criteria often prescribe the acceptable levels of these bacteria or their toxins in food products available on the market [46]. Most foods that support the growth of L. monocytogenes should be the focus of risk management efforts. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and France have set a tolerance level of 100 colony forming units (cfu) of L. monocytogenes per gram of food at the time of consumption while others, such as the USA and Italy, require a total absence of L. monocytogenes in 25 g of food [47]. The new criteria for L. monocytogenes in RTE food gazetted by Food Standards Australia-New Zealand on 31 July 2014 prescribe two sets of criteria for L. monocytogenes for application based on whether the growth of the bacterium does or does not occur inherently in a particular RTE food. These criteria include fewer than 100 cfu of L. monocytogenes per gram of food in which the growth of L. monocytogenes is not likely to occur, and that L. monocytogenes should not be detected in 25 g of food in which the growth of L. monocytogenes is likely to occur [48].

The Food Safety Standard of Ireland has prescribed the following in relation to L. monocytogenes: L. monocytogenes should be absent in 25 g of RTE food destined for infant consumption or for serving as a special food for medical purposes in up to 10 collected food samples. Similarly, in the case of RTE foods that are able to support the growth of L. monocytogenes: L. monocytogenes should be absent in 25 g of RTE food following production or should not exceed 100 cfu per gram of food placed on the market during its shelf life, in up to 5 collected food samples. Lastly, in the case of RTE foods that are not able to support the growth of L. monocytogenes: L. monocytogenes should not exceed 100 cfu per gram of food placed on the market during its shelf life, in up to 5 collected food samples [49].

8. Methods commonly used for the identification of L. monocytogenes in foods

9. Prevention and control of Listeria monocytogenes in food systems

The prevention and control of L. monocytogenes in RTE foods is paramount in protecting consumers against listeriosis. In a document entitled “Guidelines on the application of general principles of food hygiene to the control of L. monocytogenes in foods” the World Health Organization has provided guidelines that can be followed to minimize the likelihood of the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in RTE foods. According to the [59], food safety measures need to be carried out at different levels of a food production environment, and must include:

1. Establishing the design and adequacy of a production facility: proper location and layout, and adequate equipment and facilities such as water supply, drainage, toilets, temperature control, storage, and hand washing basins.

2. Control of food safety hazards and implementation of hygiene practices throughout the food production line. Accredited HACCP implementation programme.

3. Establishment of adequate sanitary conditions and maintenance of the production facilities; effective cleaning programmes; pest control and proper waste management; and effective monitoring of cleaning programmes.

4. Ensuring adequate implementation of personal hygiene, health status, personal cleanliness and personal behavior of staff.

5. Ensuring adequate and properly functioning transport facilities; these should be well maintained and fit for purpose.

6. Continuous training of staff working in the food production environment, including refresher training.

While the food industry is taking numerous measures to protect foods from Listeria, consumers of RTE food, especially those belonging to the vulnerable groups, must take suitable precautions during the handling of food in their households to prevent the growth and contamination of food by L. monocytogenes (Table 3).

10. Consumer awareness of listeriosis

Continuous provision of food safety education to consumers through various channels such as social media increases consumer awareness of the need for safer food handling practices such as hand washing and safe storage of RTE food [60]. The food standard agency of the UK has identified and targeted consumers who are at risk of contracting listeriosis. Vulnerable people, many of whom live and obtain their food independently include those with various forms of cancer, diabetes, alcoholism and diseases of the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system (e.g., heart disease), digestive system (e.g., Crohn’s disease) and musculoskeletal/connective tissue system (e.g., lupus) [61]. Even though most consumers of food sold by street vendors may not have confidence in the safety of RTE foods sold on the street, this often does not affect their preference for such foods because of their affordability, availability and convenience [28].

11. Conclusions

RTE foods have gained considerable popularity in many developing and developed countries because of their perceived better flavor, affordability and convenience. Consumers will continue to consume RTE foods despite their association with L. monocytogenes outbreaks. While most food processing industries are taking measures to protect foods from listeria, consumers of RTE food, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups, must take suitable precautions during the handling of food to prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes and contamination of food by this organism. Continuous identification of those groups of consumers vulnerable to listeriosis and food safety education directed at them specifically will increase their awareness of the need for safer food handling practices such as hand washing and safe storage of RTE food in an effort to prevent listeriosis.

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge my wife, Wendy Tabit, for reading this manuscript and making suggestions.

Conflict of interest

I declare that I have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this research chapter.