The European Commission has rolled out a new regulation aimed at addressing food safety concerns related to Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium responsible for severe foodborne illnesses. Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, which modifies Regulation (EC) 2073/2005, takes effect on November 20, 2024, but will allow food operators until July 1, 2026, to fully comply with the changes.
Rising Listeriosis Cases Spark Stricter Measures
The updated regulation comes in response to a 15.9% increase in listeriosis cases reported across the EU in 2022 compared to 2021. The same period saw one of the highest mortality rates in a decade for foodborne outbreaks involving Listeria. According to EFSA findings, vulnerable populations such as children and immunocompromised individuals are particularly at risk, underscoring the urgency for stricter controls.
Key Changes in Regulation
The changes focus on enhancing the food safety criteria for ready-to-eat foods, excluding products intended for infants and those for special medical purposes. Key updates include:
- Stricter Testing Standards:
- Food operators must now ensure Listeria monocytogenes levels do not exceed 100 ufc/g during the shelf-life of their products. If this cannot be demonstrated, products must meet the stricter standard of absence in 25g.
- Mandatory Risk Mitigation:
- Operators must implement robust risk controls and submit scientific evidence to prove compliance with microbiological safety limits.
- Validation Requirements:
- Operators need to provide adequate data to competent authorities, demonstrating the stability of their products and adherence to new safety criteria.
Transition Period
To ease the adjustment, the new rules will be enforced starting July 1, 2026, giving food operators two years to implement necessary changes. This transition period ensures companies have time to adapt their safety processes and comply with the regulation without disrupting their operations.
What This Means for the Food Industry
Food industry professionals will need to:
- Proactively assess their current safety protocols and identify areas requiring improvement.
- Implement risk mitigation tools and staff training to prevent contamination.
- Work closely with regulators to ensure compliance with the stricter standard for microbiological safety.
The stricter measures are part of the EU’s continued commitment to protecting public health and maintaining high food safety standards across the region.
For health officials and food operators, the new regulation signals a collective step forward in tackling one of the top foodborne safety threats in Europe.
How V-Apps.Cloud Can Help
V-Apps.Cloud offers innovative tools to efficiently manage maintenance, cleaning schedules, and employee training to align with the new food safety regulations. Its user-friendly platform allows food operators to:
- Streamline maintenance and cleaning processes with automated reminders and checklists to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.
- Centralize employee training by providing digital modules that keep staff informed and up-to-date on best practices for food safety.
- Monitor progress and compliance through detailed reporting features, making it easier to identify and address potential gaps in safety protocols.
With V-Apps.Cloud, businesses can confidently adapt to the stricter EU standards, ensuring a higher level of safety while optimizing their day-to-day operations.
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