Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen often associated with ready-to-eat foods (RTE) where the food is consumed without any further cooking. Management and control of Listeria during food manufacture is therefore a particular focus of the food industry. All producers of RTE products are required to demonstrate compliance to limits specified in the Food Standards code. However, some RTE foods are difficult to sample. This project examines alternative sampling methods that can be used.

New Zealand produces a range of ready-to-eat dried meat products where food safety often relies on a cook or fermentation step. However, some dried products use water activity, pH or added ingredients to ensure food safety. There is little documented proof to support validation of the food safety aspects of the drying process. This review determines if any existing models can be used to validate this process and provide guidance or a predictive model for the inactivation of pathogens of concern.

This is the sampling plan for the Food Residues Survey Programme from July 2022 to June 2023 for plant products. It covers selected foods that are available to the New Zealand consumers during that period.

Keywords: FRSP, food residues, plant foods, 2022-2023, sampling plan, food residues survey programme

A summary of environmental interactions between the seafood sector and the aquatic environment.

The TA was carried out by the Ministry for Primary Industries to determine if LSDV is a risk in meat and meat products derived from cattle and buffaloes for human and animal consumption (except the importation of meat and bone meal for feeding to livestock).

The likelihood of entry of LSDV via meat and meat products derived from skeletal muscle devoid of lymph nodes (LNs) or other tissues (blood, offal, tendons and bone) is assessed to be negligible.
The likelihood of entry of LSDV via meat and meat products derived from skeletal muscle contaminated with parts of LNs and other tissues (blood, offal, tendons and bone), and via bone of infected cattle is assessed as very low.
The likelihood of entry of LSDV via meat and meat products derived from offal of infected cattle is assessed as medium.
Based on the available scientific literature on transmission of LSDV and the requirements of the New Zealand Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999, in the event of entry of contaminated skeletal muscle, offal or bone into New Zealand, the exposure of cattle and buffaloes to LSDV via these commodities that are intended for human and animal consumption is assessed as negligible.
Risk management measures are not justified for LSDV when cattle and buffalo meat and meat products intended for human and animal consumption are imported into New Zealand.

Keywords – Lumpy skin disease virus, lumpy skin disease, LSD, LSDV, meat, meat products, human consumption, animal consumption, pet food, cattle, buffalo