date:Jan 17, 2017
eholders. The rule was first proposed in January 2013.
There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes in ready to eat foods. This bacteria causes serious illness and death. It grows at refrigerator temperatures, and freezing does not kill it. Heating to 160F is the only way to destroy this pathogen.
There have been several outbreaks and many recalls in the past few years of ready to eat products for possible Listeria contamination. They include the deadly Dole salad Listeria outbreak in 20