Top 6 STEC (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) plus O157 serotypes have been recognised in the US as adulterants in raw bulk manufacturing beef meat. This annual report summarises the confirmation testing outcomes of the N60 STEC Regulatory Programme for 2018, including WGS analysis of E. coli O157:H7 isolates from beef and clinical cases. All STEC O157:H7 bovine isolates were ST11.

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.

keywords: sheep, heat stress, shelter, shade