ISO 11290-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 11290-1:2017 — Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes and of Listeria spp. — Part 1: Detection method. A standardized, horizontal (matrix‑independent) laboratory method specifying enrichment, selective isolation and confirmation steps for the detection of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species in food, animal feed and environmental samples from food production and handling areas.

Abstract

ISO 11290-1:2017 specifies a validated procedure for the qualitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. in products intended for human consumption, animal feed and environment samples related to food production and handling. The method defines sampling, sample preparation, primary and secondary enrichment (e.g., Half Fraser and Fraser broths), selective plating, incubation, presumptive colony selection and confirmation criteria, together with performance and quality assurance requirements.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard — confirmed at review).
• Publication date: 16 May 2017.
• Publisher: ISO (International Organization for Standardization).
• ICS / categories: 07.100.30 — Food microbiology.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2017).
• Number of pages: 36.

Scope

Applies to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes and to the detection of Listeria spp. (including L. monocytogenes) in foodstuffs, animal feeding stuffs and environmental samples taken in food manufacturing and handling areas. The document is intended as a horizontal reference method suitable for a wide range of matrices; it notes that some Listeria species may not be recovered or confirmed by this procedure in all cases.

Key topics and requirements

• Target organisms: Listeria monocytogenes (primary) and Listeria spp. (including L. monocytogenes).
• Applicable sample types: food products for human consumption, animal feed and environmental swabs from food‑related sites.
• Sample preparation and dilution procedures adapted to matrix type.
• Primary (Half Fraser) and secondary (Fraser) enrichment steps to resuscitate injured cells and suppress background flora.
• Selective isolation on recommended selective agar media (examples used in practice include Oxford, Palcam and Ottaviani & Agosti formulations) with specified incubation conditions.
• Selection of presumptive colonies and confirmation tests (morphology, Gram stain, catalase, haemolysis and additional biochemical/enzymatic or molecular confirmation as described in the standard).
• Expression of results as presence/absence per sample unit and reporting format.
• Performance characteristics, method validation and quality assurance provisions (controls, control strains, checklist items for routine testing).
• Normative and informative annexes: procedural flow diagrams, compositions/preparation of media and reagents, guidance on distinguishing Listeria spp. from other genera and identification reactions for species.
• Reference to ongoing maintenance/amendment work (draft amendment items addressing sample storage before analysis and control strain updates).

Typical use and users

Used by food and feed microbiology laboratories for regulatory compliance testing, industry quality control and verification, contract testing laboratories, public health and veterinary reference laboratories, and laboratories performing environmental monitoring in food production facilities. Also used by test method developers and validation bodies as a reference method for comparing alternative or rapid detection methods.

Related standards

Directly related: ISO 11290-2:2017 (Part 2 — Enumeration method). Historical: ISO 11290-1:1996 and its 2004 amendment (withdrawn/replaced). Complementary standards commonly used alongside ISO 11290 series include ISO 6887 (preparation of test samples and preliminary dilution series), ISO 16140 (method validation/verification), and national/adopted EN versions (EN ISO 11290-1:2017 and EN ISO 11290-2:2017) as implemented by regional standards bodies.

Keywords

Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria spp., detection method, enrichment, Half Fraser, Fraser, selective agar, Ottaviani & Agosti, Palcam, Oxford agar, food microbiology, ISO 11290, horizontal method, environmental monitoring, food safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 11290-1:2017 is the international reference (horizontal) laboratory method for the qualitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species in food, feed and related environmental samples.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling‑related preparation, primary and secondary enrichment (typical Half Fraser/Fraser broths), selective plating, incubation, selection of presumptive colonies, confirmation procedures, expression of results and method performance/quality assurance requirements for detection (presence/absence) testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Food industry QC and QA laboratories, contract testing labs, public health and veterinary reference laboratories, regulatory agencies, and validation bodies that need a recognized reference method for Listeria detection.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 11290-1:2017 is the currently published edition (Edition 2, May 2017) and is the replacement of the 1996 edition and its 2004 amendment. The standard is maintained through ISO’s review process and remains the accepted reference method; draft amendments addressing storage before analysis and control‑strain updates have been developed.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 11290 series. Part 2 (ISO 11290-2:2017) defines the corresponding enumeration (counting) method. The series forms the internationally accepted reference suite for Listeria detection and enumeration in the food chain.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, detection, enrichment, selective agar, Half Fraser, Fraser, food microbiology, ISO 11290, horizontal method, environmental sampling.