FMI, USDA and FDA Address Risk of Listeria Monocytogenes in Retail Delicatessens

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) will participate in an U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public meeting regarding the interagency risk assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in retail delicatessens. Dr. Hilary Thesmar, vice president of food safety programs at FMI, will share the food retail industry’s proactive history with the agencies to responsibly address and minimize the risk of Listeria in supermarket delis. Regarding her comments this afternoon, Dr. Thesmar explained, “The food retail industry has taken responsible action to minimize the risk for the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which is why FMI has already started to use the academic findings by developing a ‘Listeria Action Plan’ for retail. This simple document is designed by retail food safety experts to take the most impactful, actionable steps and interventions and make them practical for use in any retail deli. “FMI welcomed the opportunity to work with USDA and FDA on this risk assessment, and we hope that this inclusive model will be adopted in the future.  The food retail industry has expertise to contribute, and we hope that by including all stakeholders early in the process, we will have a stronger and higher quality risk assessment model when it is complete.”