102 Marginal Some contamination or inadequate Proactive investigation to ensure processing and –104 processing indicated. hygiene controls are being implemented. Results may need to be compared with other food samples from the production environment for interpretation. <102 Satisfactory >102 Unsatisfactory For raw and processed foods indicates Review: potential for there to have been processing controls used (such as cooking contamination of faecal origin from poor temperatures) hygienic practices (cross contamination cleaning and sanitising practices for from food contact surfaces, raw foods or premises and equipment food handlers) or there has been food handler hygiene inadequate processing. time and temperature control primary production controls (e.g. harvest practices, water quality, fertilizers, other For RTE foods that have not been inputs as appropriate). processed (e.g. fresh produce), contamination from the primary production environment should be considered. Additional food or environmental samples may be required for investigation and testing for enteric pathogens considered if appropriate. 3 - <102 Marginal low levels may occasionally be found Proactive investigation to ensure processing and in RTE food, widespread detection in hygiene controls are being implemented. several foods or areas of the food production environment suggests poor hygienic practices. <3 Satisfactory Listeria >102 Unsatisfactory Detection of spp. at this level An investigation should be undertaken of: spp. Listeria (other than L. signifies that conditions may also be the raw materials used; monocytogenes) favourable for L. monocytogenes to be adequacy of cleaning and sanitising of present. This may be due to poor food premises and equipment handling controls or cross contamination. adequacy of construction and maintenance of premises the effectiveness of processing controls. Higher levels may also suggest poor Additional sampling, including environmental temperature control or inappropriate length sampling should be considered (including of shelf life. specific testing for L. monocytogenes).
102 –104 Marginal Some contamination or inadequate processing indicated. Proactive investigation to ensure processing and hygiene controls are being implemented. Results may need to be compared with other food samples from the production environment for interpretation. <102 Satisfactory >102 Unsatisfactory For raw and processed foods indicates potential for there to have been contamination of faecal origin from poor hygienic practices (cross contamination from food contact surfaces, raw foods or food handlers) or there has been inadequate processing. For RTE foods that have not been processed (e.g. fresh produce), contamination from the primary production environment should be considered. Review: processing controls used (such as cooking temperatures) cleaning and sanitising practices for premises and equipment food handler hygiene time and temperature control primary production controls (e.g. harvest practices, water quality, fertilizers, other inputs as appropriate). Additional food or environmental samples may be required for investigation and testing for enteric pathogens considered if appropriate. 3 - <102 Marginal low levels may occasionally be found in RTE food, widespread detection in several foods or areas of the food production environment suggests poor hygienic practices. Proactive investigation to ensure processing and hygiene controls are being implemented. <3 Satisfactory Listeria spp. (other than L. monocytogenes) >102 Unsatisfactory Detection of Listeria spp. at this level signifies that conditions may also be favourable for L. monocytogenes to be present. This may be due to poor food handling controls or cross contamination. Higher levels may also suggest poor temperature control or inappropriate length of shelf life. An investigation should be undertaken of: the raw materials used; adequacy of cleaning and sanitising of premises and equipment adequacy of construction and maintenance of premises the effectiveness of processing controls. Additional sampling, including environmental sampling should be considered (including specific testing for L. monocytogenes).
Compendium%20of%20Microbiological%20Criteria.docx