- Marius Eduard Caplan: Universitatea de Stiinţe Agricole şi Medicină Veterinară Facultatea de Medicină Veterinară, Bucureşti. eduardcaplan@yahoo.com
A large distributed bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes has been isolated from water and fresh vegetables, raw meat and processed meat (all types), and raw, salted and smoked fish. L. monocytogenes grows at low oxygen concentrations and at low temperatures, surviving for a long time in the environment, in the processing plant, as well as on the equipment, instruments and during storage at the refrigeration temperature. L. monocytogenes causes invasive listeriosis, often affecting immunocompromised individuals. Epidemiologically, listeriosis appears as sporadic cases and outbreaks, with an incidence of 3-8 cases/1000000 inhabitants, run-down in most countries, reflecting the measures compulsory in food processing industry. The purpose of this review is to describe the measures regarding the implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP), to protrude the integrity of cold chain through preparing, packing and holding food, including household refrigerating, and to increase a good communication, particularly for consumers at increased risk of listeriosis.