New Listeria Monocytogenes Testing System

WASHINGTON - May 1/02 - SNS -- A new system which should shorten the time to get results and reduce the number of false positive returns when testing meat and poultry for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes has been adopted by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

After an evaluation, FSIS determined that the BAX® system was as sensitive as the current method in detecting Listeria monocytogenes. With BAX®, fewer samples were falsely screened as positive. Data also showed that the system reduced the reporting time for negative samples by one day when compared to the current method.

"This is a good example of how FSIS is using new technology to improve efficiency," said Bill Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "FSIS can reduce the time that it takes to notify meat and poultry producers of a negative result, and fewer false positives will help to reduce agency resources used to confirm positive screen tests."

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