Review controlling Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products: An overview of outbreaks, current legislations, challenges, and future prospects

Background: Listeriosis is a sporadic foodborne disease but with a high fatality. Ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products (MPPs) are the major associated food vehicles. The consumption of RTE-MPPs products is rapidly increasing due to the modern fast-paced lifestyle. Contamination of Listeria monocytogenes would create a human health crisis and an economic loss. Scope and approach: This review aimed to provide an update overview of a potential listeriosis outbreak linked to RTE-MPPs in selected countries and regions, as well as the evolution of RTE food regulations correspondingly. The state-of-the-art biocontrol strategies were emphasized, and the current challenges and future prospects were proposed. Key findings and conclusions: The incidence and scale of a listeriosis outbreak linked to RTE-MPPs can be reduced, by implementing an effective control of the pathogens in RTE-MPPs due to the joint efforts of gradually reinforced regulations and legislations, more advanced detection techniques, and a well-established national surveillance network in developed countries and regions. This review highlights the recent progress in the biocontrol of biofilms formed by Listeria monocytogenes, specifically in the field of inhibitory interaction with other functional microbials and enzyme-based removal strategies. The current challenges that we are facing in the field were summarized, though a proposed efficient and eco-friendly anti-biofilm strategy research and development would require an interdisciplinary cooperation of advanced bio-based technologies.

Automated summary

Listeriosis is a sporadic foodborne disease with high fatality, commonly associated with ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. By implementing effective regulations, advanced detection techniques, and a well-established surveillance network, the incidence and scale of listeriosis outbreaks linked to these products can be reduced. Advanced research in biocontrol strategies, particularly in inhibitory interactions with other microbials and enzyme-based removal, is crucial for future development in this field.