PRESERVATIVES AGAINST LISTERIA IN READY MEALS
The ready meals food industry has obtained popularity in recent years due to its convenience, quality and added value. In a world where many workers eat at work, it has become a cheaper option than going to a restaurant, or quicker if you don’t have time to prepare the next day’s meal at home.
However, ensuring food safety and extending the shelf life of this type of food are key challenges for R&D managers in the food industry.
We will now address the main concerns related to the microbiology of these products and finally present the innovative preservation solutions that Amerex offers to these companies.
What are ready meals?
Ready meals are prepared and cooked products that, after a pasteurisation or sterilisation process, are vacuum or protective atmosphere packaged and ready to eat, usually after heating in an oven or microwave.
This food segment includes gourmet ready meals such as different types of rice dishes, roast chicken, vegetable preparations, salads, soups, sauces and side dishes etc. Aimed at consumers looking for a quick pre-prepared food without compromising on quality.
As we can see, there are fresh prepared dishes (salad or potato omelette) and others that have undergone heat treatment or HPP (rice, chicken, creams), which will also determine the microbiological and shelf-life problems of the food.
What microbiological problems affect ready meals?
Despite controls during production, ready meals may be exposed to microbiological contamination, especially after thermal processing and packaging.
Storage temperatures and subsequent handling are critical factors that may favour the growth of undesirable microorganisms and often these parameters cannot be assured.
- In the case of fresh ready meals, organoleptic problems caused by heterofermentative bacteria affecting texture, flavour, colour, etc. are more likely to occur.
- In the case of treated ready meals, secondary shelf life can also be compromised with undesirable acidification and the appearance of moulds and yeasts.
What are the main pathogens in ready meals?
One of the main pathogens that can be found in ready meals is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a bacterium capable of growing under refrigerated conditions and is known to cause listeriosis, a disease that can be serious in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised persons.
Other relevant pathogenic microorganisms affecting this type of food also include: Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Clostridium botulinum.
Why is it important to prevent Listeria contamination in ready meals?
Listeria represents a food safety challenge due to its ability to adapt to harsh environments, including cold. In addition to the health problems it can cause, a single case of listeria can have a serious impact on brand reputation and regulatory compliance. Implementing effective control strategies is therefore critical.
On 21 November 2024, an amendment to Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 was published, introducing changes to the food safety criteria for Listeria monocytogenes. Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 was published, amending Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 as regards the food safety criteria for Listeria monocytogenes. As mentioned above, this pathogen represents a serious risk to public health due to its high lethality rate, as evidenced in the EFSA report on zoonoses, which reported a 15.9% increase in cases of listeriosis in 2022 compared to 2021.
In this case the amendment establishes that the criterion of ‘Listeria monocytogenes not detected in 25 g’ will apply to all ready-to-eat foods during their shelf-life, in those products that may allow the bacteria to grow.
This measure aims to provide a high and consistent level of protection throughout the food chain, from production to distribution, to ensure consumer safety and affects many of the pre-cooked convenience foods discussed in the article.
What natural preservatives does Amerex offer for ready meals preservation?
Amerex Ingredients has more than 40 years of experience in biotechnology developing innovative and natural microbiology-based solutions to improve shelf life and food safety. For ready meals, Amerex includes a range of products including protective cultures that prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms and help maintain the microbiological stability of the product.
In addition, we are able to offer customised solutions, designed according to the specific needs of the product and its sensory profile, ensuring a clean label approach.
Food safety and shelf life are essential pillars for the success of pre-cooked convenience foods. Amerex Ingredients’ natural and customised solutions enable companies in the sector to meet market expectations while ensuring safe and high quality products.
Do you want to know more about how our clean label solutions can benefit your business? Contact us and discover the innovation that Amerex Ingredients can bring to your ready meals!
- Email us at: imasd@amerexingredientes.com
- Call us on: 91 845 42 14
- Fill in the form below
Patricia Rodrigo is Head of Marketing & Product at Amerex. With a background in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biotechnology Business Management, her work focuses on research and communication of natural alternatives to additives, conservation strategies, and pathogen control in various food groups for the industry.
