Risk assessment and investigation of Listeria monocytogenes contamination of meat and meat products at retail in Yantai

To realize the contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes and evaluate the potential risk of selling meat and meat products, which would provide scientific basis for improving national standard, optimizing market supervision and strengthening early warning. Listeria monocytogenes quantitative detection referenced to GB4789.30—2010 and nine tube method of most probable number. The potential risk of ready-to-eat cooked meats was assessed with swift quantitative microbiological risk assessment. The Listeria monocytogenes contaminated percent of raw poultry meat, raw cattle meat and ready-to-eat cooked meat products was 38.3%, 56% and 1.99%, respectively. The Listeria monocytogenes pollution level of meat and meat products sold in 7～9 months was higher than that in 10～12 months and 4～6 months. The Listeria monocytogenes disease risk of ready-to-eat cooked meats was close to zero for greater than 15 years old peoples, but the potential disease risk of greater than 65 years old people was hazarder than that to youth and adults. The meat and meat products at retail were contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes with high pollution level, as also the fresh meat pollution level was higherthan that ready-to-eat cooked meat products. The main possible pollution source could come from the production, shipping and sales. It would be a better way to add limited value Listeria monocytogenes into national standard, and carry out risk assessement of Listeria monocytogenes for specific food in order to reduce the potential danger from Listeria monocytogenes.