Reliable Listeria Detection | Certified Real-Time PCR Solutions for Manufacturers

Reliable Listeria detection – Compliant, safe, validated

- Whether you are a food manufacturer or a contract laboratory – when it comes to Listeria , there is no room for compromise.

- Microbiological safety requirements in the food industry keep increasing. The main focus: Listeria monocytogenes - a pathogen with a high risk for both consumers and manufacturers.

- The Listeria bacterium is one of the most significant microbiological hazards in food production. Its presence can endanger consumer health and lead to product recalls, reputational damage and financial loss. That is why rapid, reliable and compliant detection - in both the product and the production environment - is necessary.

- Current regulations in the EU and worldwide not only require the detection of L. monocytogenes but also the monitoring of Listeria spp. as a hygiene indicator.

Regulatory requirements

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 , food business operators must comply with microbiological criteria, including:

- Product-specific limits for Listeria monocytogenes (for example: ≤ 100 CFU/g)

- Differentiation based on growth potential: if growth is possible, the pathogen must be “not detectable in 25 g”

- Hygiene criteria for environmental monitoring - especially in high-risk areas such as slicing, packaging and cold storage

New EU rules on Listeria bacteria – Changes in 2026

- With Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 , the EU tightens the microbiological criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods supporting the growth of the bacteria.

* Key changes from 1 July 2026

- RTE foods (ready-to-eat foods) supporting the growth of Listeria monocytogenes must not exceed 100 cfu/g throughout their shelf life.

- If this cannot be demonstrated, the bacteria must not be detectable in 25 grams of product.

- Previously this only applied at the production stage – now it also applies at retail level

- Objective: Strengthen consumer protection against the increase in listeriosis cases in the EU

* What this means for manufacturers

- Stricter internal control and the possibility of challenging tests to classify products

- Consistently implement hygiene measures and environmental monitoring

* Why test?

- Listeria can appear anywhere: in raw materials, on surfaces, and even in areas that seem to be low risk.

Only regular testing with reliable methods ensures:

- Product safety

- Protection against recalls

- Audit readiness for inspections by regulatory authorities and customers

Our solution: Real-Time SureFast® Listeria 3plex ONE kit

- We offer Real-Time PCR test kits certified by AOAC and MicroVal , validated according to the ISO 16140-2 standard, for the simultaneous detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp.