On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Notice 50-24, Inspection Program Personnel (IPPs) at establishments preparing, processing, or importing ready-to-eat (RTE) meat, poultry, or egg products notifying establishments that, effective January 17, 2025, FSIS will be changing its laboratory methodology to include in all sampling items currently tested for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) to include testing for the non-Listeria monocytogenes genus Listeria (non-Lm Listeria spp.).

This notice applies to all sampling programs that currently test for Listeria spp. on products, food contact surfaces, or environmental samples from non-food contact surfaces. When FSIS finds samples positive for non-Lm Listeria spp. but negative for Lm, IPPs and Enforcement, Investigative, and Analytical Officers (EIAOs) should be aware that the establishment must take corrective action (e.g., increased cleanliness and sanitation) in accordance with 9 CFR 416.15. When non-Listeria monocytogenes spp. are found in imported samples of ready-to-eat meat, poultry, or egg products, no further action is required by the importing Agency or importer of Record (IOR). However, FSIS will notify the Central Authority of the importing country of the results as appropriate.

Learn more: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/fsis-notice/50-24