Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from ready-to-eat products in Poland in 2007-2011

- Monitoring study of Listeria monocytogenes in RTE products on retail in Poland.
- Low level of contamination of RTE products with L. monocytogenes.
- High incidence of serotype 4ab-4b-4d-4e (molecular group: IVb) of L. monocytogenes.
- Nine and a half percent of L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to ampicillin.
- All L. monocytogenes isolates were sensitive to other examined antibiotics.

The aim of the study was to characterize strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from ready to eat (RTE) products collected as part of official food control and monitoring in Poland. A total of 105 L. monocytogenes isolates from RTE products: 54- cakes and 51 - delicatessen products were examined. The presence L. monocytogenes in cakes and delicatessen products was 0.4% and 0.7% respectively suggesting the level of contamination of RTE products with L. monocytogenes is very low.