Assessing Listeria monocytogenes presence in Portuguese ready-to-eat meat processing industries based on hygienic and safety audit

•L. monocytogenes frequency is high (25%) in ready to eat meat foods from industries.•High audit scored industries were associated with L. monocytogenes.•L. monocytogenes was related with food handling and hygiene procedures fails.•Hygiene indicators were associated with L. monocytogenes, being a useful tool.•Improvement of hygiene procedures, equipment design and staff attitude are needed.

Listeria monocytogenes is a potential hazard linked to ready-to-eat meat-based food products. The aim of the study was to assess L. monocytogenes presence in Portuguese ready-to-eat meat processing industries. Environment and final product samples were analyzed and an audit was performed in ten industrial facilities to determine good hygiene and manufacturing practices (GHMP) level of implementation using a checklist. L. monocytogenes frequency was high, being related to industries that obtained high audit scores with a satisfactory level of GHMP implementation. Processing hygiene indicators were associated with L. monocytogenes and related to product handling after processing and to hygiene procedures. Food safety management systems of Portuguese ready-to-eat meat processing industry need enhancement, particularly on preventing post-processing contamination by accurate validation of hygiene procedures, equipment design improvement and staff attitude towards hygiene.