Environmental Sampling for Listeria spp. Using a MicroTally® Mitt and StickSponge™ for Environmental Sampling of Three Different Food Contact Surfaces

Listeria spp. threatens the food business. It can cause meningitis, septicemia, and miscarriage in a variety of foods. Pregnant, elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems are at risk. Listeria outbreaks can harm the food industry through public distrust, product recalls, and legal action. This study compares Dry Mitt, MicroTally®, and EZ Reach™ sampling methods for food contact surface sampling. Samples were examined using PCR and selective media. These procedures are used to test Listeria in food processing facilities. Statistical variations in Listeria recovery were seen between the two sampling strategies for three surfaces (p <0.01). Anova analysis showed substantial recovery rate variations between swabs and mitt sampling methods (p < 0.05), indicating separate performance. Swab and Dry Mitt (-0.056) differed from 1 (97.5% = 6.50) slope interval confidence. The linear model's intercept (1.1370) fits the dependent variable's measurement when the independent variable is zero (p = 0.659). Swab and Pre-Moist Mitt (0.7576) differed from 1 via slope interval confidence (97.5% = 2.754). The intercept (1.5365) was statistically insignificant (p = 0.0156), and the R² (0.547) indicated poor data matching for the linear model sampling and testing to minimize Listeria's impact on public health and the food business.