FDA removes Listeria from test panel for preharvest Ag water treatments protocol

Food Safety magazine reported that the FDA has worked with the EPA to modify the list of organisms required for developing and registering antimicrobial treatments for preharvest agricultural water, removing Listeria monocytogenes from the test panel. The change to the protocol is being made due to pilot studies suggesting that sanitizers that are likely effective for Escherichia coli and Salmonella may be different from those that are most effective for L. monocytogenes. Due to recent outbreaks of E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella linked to produce, the FDA and EPA agreed and decided to remove L. monocytogenes from the panel. FDA expects that the change will facilitate the registration of antimicrobial treatments against STEC, other E. coli, and Salmonella in preharvest agricultural water, the availability of which will be a significant resource for farms to protect their crops against such pathogens. @ https://www.food-safety.com/articles/8257-fda-removes-listeria-from-test-panel-for-preharvest-ag-water-treatments-protocol