THE PRESENCE OF LISTERIA SPP. AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN A CHOSEN FOOD PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENT IN SERBIA

Abstract- The aim of the study was to establish a protocol to evaluate the presence of Listeria spp. in food processing environments. The presence of Listeria spp. was evaluated in a selected restaurant in Serbia on three occasions. Samples were collected from 47 sampling spots in the commercial kitchen equipment and environment. The presence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were detected by conventional culture methods and by the PCR method. The obtained results showed that 23 swab samples were positive for Listeria spp. Interestingly, the swabs from the bread-cutting board and meat defrosting sink were positive for L. monocytogenes