title: Occurrence ofListeria monocytogenesin Ready-to-Eat Meat Products and Meat Processing Plants in Spain.
abstract: The aim of this work was to study the occurrence ofListeria monocytogenesin several types of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products and in the environment of meat processing plants. A total of 129 samples of RTE meat products and 110 samples from work surfaces and equipment were analyzed.L. monocytogeneswas detected in 6 out of 35 cooked products (17.14%), 21 out of 57 raw-cured products (36.84%), and 9 out of 37 dry-cured, salted products (24.32%). The number of sample units that exceeded the food safety limit of 100 cfu/g decreased from the manufacture date to half shelf life, and then it was further reduced at the end of shelf life.L. monocytogeneswas detected in 25 out of 110 (22.72%) food contact surfaces. The number of positive and negative results from both food and environmental samples were cross-tabulated and the calculated Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was 0.3233, indicating a fair agreement in terms ofListeriacontamination.L.monocytogeneswas recovered after cleaning and disinfection procedures in four plants, highlighting the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain. dgl.15@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragón (CITA), Avda. Montañana 930, Zaragoza 50059, Spain. lpiguacel@cita-aragon.es.
authors.forename: Laura Pilar
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Iguácel
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain. crota@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Mª Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain. carramin@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Carramiñana
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain. aarino@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ariño
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain. jyangu@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yangüela
keywords: Listeria monocytogenes; meat processing plant; occurrence; ready-to-eat meat products; work surfaces