STM PROGRAMME on Listeria monocytogenes

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training course on STM PROGRAMME on Listeria monocytogenes are:

  • Explanation of EU legal framework for shelf-life studies;
  • Analysis of Guidance documents on shelf-life studies- International European standards developed;
  • Importance of determining a shelf-life -Prerequisite before starting shelf-life studies;
  • Classification of RTE foods based on their physicochemical characteristics;
  • Consideration of intrabatch/interbatch variability;
  • Predictive microbiological modelling and software, database, case scenario and examples;
  • Durability studies for Lm shelf-life verification;
  • Challenge tests for shelf-life determination and use of the growth potential, of the maximum growth rate of Lm in RTE foods.
  • Use of case studies and workshop exercises, based on specific Irish products / situations.

The course addresses the following topics:

  • Listeria monocytogenes and RTE foods
  • Explanation of EU legal framework for shelf-life studies
  • Overview of studies in Annex II of Regulation 2073/2005
  • Overview of relevant European guidance documents and ISO standards related to shelf-life studies
  • Prerequisite before starting shelf-life studies
  • Challenge tests to determine the growth of L. monocytogenes and growth rate with CT report to review Standard EN ISO 20976-1 Protocol + EURL Lm TGD
  • Evaluation of a challenge test report
  • Presentation of available predictive microbiology models and software for L. monocytogenes
  • Use of Predictive Microbiology models and software to assess:
  • Case study: Use of ComBase software to reduce salt concentration
  • Case study 2: Use of FSSP software to set shelf life for new products
  • Case study 3: Use of Sym’Previus software to consider product variability
  • Evaluation of a Predictive Microbiology Report
  • Surface sampling: horizontal methods for surface sampling
  • Case study – L. monocytogenes environmental contamination in a RTE factory

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • Competent Authorities Staff.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 17/10/2023 19/10/2023 Grange Ireland
2 31/10/2023 02/11/2023 Grange Ireland
3 23/06/2025 26/06/2025 Antequera Spain
4 30/09/2025 03/10/2025 Zaragoza Spain