Project Number: 1935-41420-015-06
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2009
End Date: Sep 30, 2012

Objective:
Quantify the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat, cheese, and deli-salads obtained from retail establishments. a) Screen foods for the presence/absence of the pathogen; b) Determine levels of the pathogen in positive samples; c) Subtype multiple isolates from each positive sample.

Approach:
Work with FDA and USDA/FSIS and attendant industry partners to collect/purchase targeted food samples from retail establishments from multiple retail establishments from within four FoodNet States over an 12 to 18-month period. Test samples for presence/absence of the pathogen. Determine levels of the pathogen in each positive sample by direct plating, enrichment, and/or most probable number analyses. Retain multiple isolates from each positive sample for subsequent molecular subtyping.