The problem of Listeriosis and ready-to-eat products: prevalence and persistence

Despite efforts made by different regulatory agencies throughout the world, listeriosis is still one of the most serious foodborne diseases of our society due to the severity of manifestations (septicaemia, meningitis and foetal death) with a case-fatality rate ranging from 20% to 50%. Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen widely distributed throughout the natural environment and consequently, it is present in many animals and plants. Its extended distribution and psychrotrophic character allow the pathogen to persist and grow in different types of refrigerated ready-to-eat products (RTE). The increase in the consumption of RTE products (which do not require cooking before consumption and with an extended shelf-life at refrigeration temperatures), together with the expanding population of highly susceptible people, could be the reasons for the observed increase of listeriosis in European countries. In this chapter, the epidemiology of listeriosis and the problems related to RTE products will be discussed.