Listeria monocytogenes challenge testing

Southern Microbiological Services – A Tentamus Company has been offering UKAS accredited microbiological testing services to the food and drinks industries since it was established in 1989 and UKAS accredited microbiological cosmetics testing, since 2024. SMS is also an RSA approved laboratory and has a team of 49 employees. Located near Wellington, Somerset, in the UK, SMS Labs is excited to announce the addition of Listeria monocytogenes challenge testing to its portfolio.

Sally Bellekom, Director of Southern Microbiological Services - A Tentamus Company commented

We are already receiving enquiries for the above testing as a result of the amendment to the EU Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, which will require Listeria monocytogenes to be not detected in 25 grams of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods throughout their shelf-life. This stricter rule will apply, unless a food business operator can demonstrate that the level of Listeria monocytogenes will not exceed 100 cfu/g, during the entire shelf life of the product. This will be effective from 1st July 2026.

If you would like further details and more information on how we can perform Listeria monocytogenes challenge testing on your products, in preparation for the above legislative changes, please feel free to contact us.