Validation of standard method EN ISO 11290 - Part 1 - Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food

Abstract

The reference method for the detection and enumeration of L. monocytogenes in food (Standards EN ISO 11290-1&2) has been validated by inter-laboratory studies in the frame of the Mandate M381 from European Commission to CEN. In this paper, the collaborative studies led in 2013 on 5 matrices (cold-smoked salmon, milk powdered infant food formula, vegetables, environment, and cheese) to validate the recently revised Standard EN ISO 11290-Part 1 are reported. According to the results obtained, the revised Standard EN ISO 11290-1 can be considered as a good method for the detection of L. monocytogenes in foods and food processing environments, in particular for the matrices included in the study. According to the matrices, the sensitivity rate varied from 91.1% to 100%, and the specificity rate varied from 97.6% to 100%. Positive samples were most often detected after 24 h half-Fraser enrichment.

Keywords: Detection; Food; Listeria monocytogenes; Microbiological methods; Sensitivity; Specificity; Validation.