Comparison of a cold enrichment and the FDA method for isolating Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. from ready-to-eat food on retail sale in the U.K.

A cold enrichment and the modified FDA selective enrichment method were compared for their ability to detect Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species from various ready-to-eat foods on sale in the UK. Of 57 food samples examined using cold enrichment, five yielded L. monocytogenes, and two L. innocua. The FDA enrichment method yielded three samples positive for L. monocytogenes only. Foods examined included soft cheeses, fermented meat sausages, pates and salads.