Abstract:
Cross-contamination with
foodborne microorganisms is a challenge at
every stage of food preparation. Listeria
monocytogenes poses serious and persistent
problems for the food industry because of its
ability to withstand a broad range of
temperatures and pH levels and thrive under
high salt concentrations. These factors
significantly increase the risks to consumers.
Although Listeria is uncommon in the general
population, the bacterium is frequently
isolated from food and environmental
sources. The prevalence of systemic
listeriosis is notably higher among vulnerable
groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women,
and individuals with weakened immune
systems. Among the species within the
Listeria genus, L. monocytogenes is the most
significant in food contexts because of its
capacity for proliferation and its adaptability
to changing environments. Advancements in
detection technologies have enabled the
identification of more outbreaks with fewer
cases per incident. To monitor and validate
the efficacy of control measures, robust
environmental monitoring programmes are
essential. These programmes include
establishing protocols for sampling and
detection, determining sampling frequency,
selecting sampling zones, and implementing
corrective actions. This study aims to review
the specialist literature on the management,
surveillance, and prevalence of L.
monocytogenes in dairy products.
