FEATURE FOOD LISTLESS MEALS Listeria is a foodborne organism causing various diseases in humans. It is hardy, resisting heat, cold and various chemicals. Its incubation period can take up to 60 days, it’s present in many food types and it’s at the root of issues across the food supply chain. Julian Collins, quality technical mobilisation manager and Paul Keogh, business development director from ISS explain how to tackle this scourge 24 NOVEMBER 2015 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY Developments in our eating habits - such as ‘Ready To Eat’ meals – and resulting changes in food manufacturing processes can sometimes aid listeria’s longevity (years in some instances). Although listeriosis, the illness caused by listeria, is relatively uncommon, it causes more deaths from food poisoning in the UK than other foodborne bugs. It should be noted however that acceptable levels of listeria differ according to food type and recipient; what constitutes a point for concern in a meal destined for a hospital patient may be negligible when consumed by a healthy adult. Despite its apparent indestructible nature, listeria can be successfully managed. Julian Collins, Quality Technical Mobilisation Manager and Paul Keogh, Business Development Director at the ISS Facility Services specialist cleaning unit highlight the Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) which rely heavily on excellent cleaning procedures and the importance of client/ stakeholder relationships to handle the listeria issue in food manufacturing. INDESTRUCTIBLE Listeria is present in foods ranging from meat and dairy, to fruit and vegetables. In the USA, ice cream manufacturing was behind an outbreak in June 2015, whilst in 2008, another outbreak was linked to delicatessen meats. Vegans aren’t exempt, with cantaloupe melons creating 147 cases of listeriosis in 2011. In small amounts, a healthy human will recover from listeriosis symptoms such as a mild flu-like illness or ‘gippy tummy’. But for those with a compromised immune system (for example pregnancy and ill health), listeriosis can be deadly. The ice creambased The ice cream-based outbreak hospitalised 10 people and caused three outbreak hospitalised 10 people deaths.” and caused three deaths. A fatality rate of almost a third cannot be taken lightly. “
CHT November 2015
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