Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in Salami Manufactured in the Marche Region (Central Italy)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in salami samples collected from production plants of the Marche Region, and to assess the end-product acceptability based on the former Italian regulations and European Commission (EC) Regulation No 2073/2005. Based on the limits specified in the former Italian regulations, the percentage of non-acceptable samples was 34.3%, whereas based on the limits specified in EC Regulation N degrees 2073/2005, a lower percentage (17.1%) was seen. A similar trend was seen also when only the Ciauscolo salami were considered, with 45.2 and 27.4% of non-acceptable samples, respectively. No correlations were identified between occurrence of L. monocytogenes and the main parameters or the manufacturing processes.