This flow chart lists the steps to be followed when Food Contact Surfaces used for Category 2A or 2B products are tested for Listeria species.
If Food Contact Surface (Test 1) is negative for Listeria species, the normal sampling schedule for Food Contact Surface is followed.
If Food Contact Surface (Test 1) is positive for Listeria species, the operator takes corrective actions including intensive sanitation and cleaning. The same Food Contact Surface is tested for Listeria monocytogenes within a maximum of 5 working days (Test 2).
If Food Contact Surface Test 2 is negative for Listeria species, the product may be released. Food Contact Surface testing continues until three consecutive negative results are obtained for Listeria species.
If Food Contact Surface Test 2 is positive for Listeria species, the operator takes corrective actions including intensive sanitation and cleaning and review of appropriate sections of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system. The same Food Contact Surface is tested for Listeria monocytogenes within a maximum of 5 working days (Test 3). It is recommended to hold the product from the sampling day pending the receipt of results.
If Food Contact Surface Test 3 is negative for Listeria species, the product may be released. Food Contact Surface testing continues until three consecutive negative results are obtained for Listeria species.
If Food Contact Surface Test 3 is positive for any Listeria species, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issues a Corrective Action Request, the operator takes corrective actions including intensive sanitation and cleaning and review of appropriate sections of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system and product from the lot produced when Food Contact Surface Test 3 was sampled as follow up is tested for Listeria monocytogenes according to Appendix 5. The same Food Contact Surface is tested for Listeria species three times in the next ten production days. It is recommended to hold the product from the sampling day pending the receipt of results. Testing of the same Food Contact Surface is continued until 3 consecutive satisfactory results for Listeria species including Listeria monocytogenes are obtained. Any follow up test positive for Listeria species will trigger product testing from the same lot according to Appendix 5.
Note:
When any three consecutive test results including follow ups on the same Food Contact Surface are positive for Listeria species, restart the process at Box A.