The Canadian government recently updated its policy on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods. A serious illness can be brought on by Listeria monocytogenes, especially in susceptible groups like the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

To protect the health and safety of Canadians, Health Canada developed the revised policy 2023 with input from both the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The current version of the policy will be in effect until October 1 during which time the Listeria policy will go into effect. The Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations primarily apply to imported or exported food or food traded interprovincially or territorially for commercial purposes. In contrast, the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations apply to all food sold in Canada, including food traded at the interprovincial and interprovincial levels.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is a federal agency responsible for promoting and protecting the health of Canadians through disease prevention, health promotion, and preparedness for public health emergencies. It works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, respond to outbreaks and emergencies, and provide health information and resources to Canadians.

The Listeria policy divides ready-to-eat foods into two groups based on their ability to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes’ potential for growth as well as its presence or concentration in ready-to-eat foods are both taken into account by the policy when determining the proper control measures.

Listeria monocytogenes can grow at cold and freezing temperatures and can endure a long time in the atmosphere of food processing facilities. Listeria monocytogenes infections, which are mostly associated with ready-to-eat foods that are not further prepared before consumption, can result in listeriosis, a serious illness.