The CFA members-only, confidential microbiological databases collect and store members’ sampling data for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus).
CFA’s Lm survey was established in 2003 to assess and demonstrate the efficacy of the industry’s controls and provide for benchmarking. It comprises some 4 million food and production environment datapoints entered by CFA members, shared with fellow member contributors on a consolidated basis. This provides valuable benchmarking information for members and, when appropriate, the wider food industry via briefings by CFA. The consolidated Listeria and B. cereus datasets are available to all contributing CFA members.
The B. cereus dataset of CFA members’ routine testing of fully thermally processed non-High Care foods has been compiled since 2014. It is used by CFA to monitor foods that have been produced using the SUSSLE Process – a specific thermal process giving chilled foods extended shelf life. Every two years SUSSLE users must undergo training by CFA and pass an examination to retain access to thetechnology and associated software. Nine major UK retailers have signed confidentiality agreements with CFA enabling eligible manufacturersto supply them with chilled foods using SUSSLE.
In 2021/22 CFA brought the SUSSLE software and the Listeria and B. cereus databases together into one system. Development of the new user management system, due for introduction by Q1 2023, is designed to enable members to manage colleagues’ use of the system, improving functionality. The SUSSLE user database will continue to be managed solely by CFA as access requires training and maintained CPD.
October 2022