RISK-BASED SAMPLING PLAN TO CONTROL LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN A HOSPITAL FOOD SERVICE OPERATION

摘要

During the last 15-20 years there has been an increasing concern worldwide about L. monocytogenes and its implications for food safety. Although listeriosis can occur in otherwise healthy adults and children, the most commonly affected populations include pregnant women, neonates, the elderly, and those persons who are immunosupressed by medications or illness. The high prevalence of L. monocytogenes in fresh foods in general, together with a high fatality rate of listeriosis suggests that L. monocytogenes represents an important hazard to human health. Consequently, the occurrence, spread, growth and survival of L. monocytogenes in foods and food environments has to be controlled, especially in food service operations (FSO) of hospitals.