New Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 concerning Listeria monocytogenes
07 May 2026
From 1 July 2026, European Regulation (EU) No 2073/2005 concerning Listeria monocytogenes will be replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2895.
Whereas a manufacturer previously had to demonstrate that the product did not contain excessive levels of Listeria monocytogenes upon leaving the production facility, from 1 July 2026 they must be able to demonstrate that this remains the case until the end of the shelf life. If a manufacturer cannot prove that Listeria monocytogenes remains below 100 CFU per gram, then Listeria monocytogenes must be completely absent in 25 grams throughout the entire shelf life.
In practice, this means that food producers will need to focus more on shelf-life studies and substantiating the food safety of the product. It is not only the testing of the final product that is important; control of the recipe and process are also crucial. Without substantiation of the shelf life and validation of possible growth of Listeria monocytogenes, the strictest requirement automatically applies: complete absence in 25 grams.
Under the new regulation, responsibility for keeping the product safe up to and including the sell-by date no longer lies solely with the manufacturer, but with all links in the chain – including retailers. This places greater focus on cold chain and storage management.
Food producers can contact smartfood R&D with any questions regarding the implications of this stricter legislation and other matters relating to food safety and shelf life. Our clients can count on reliable, independent and practical, tailored advice that enables them to continuously improve their management of shelf life and food safety risks.
For further information on the NVWA’s guidelines for the control of Listeria monocytogenes, please refer to the Food Microbiology Handbook.
