FAQs for ASTA on the Potential Risks Related to Listeria Monocytogenes in Spices

This document, revised in January 2022, is an evaluation of Enterococcus faecium as a potential surrogate for validation of spice processing controls and provides data demonstrating the relative inhibition of the proposed surrogate (Enterococcus faecium) and a group of non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica.

This white paper provides and overview of the microbiology of spices and includes information on pathogens of concern in spices, antimicrobial properties of spices, prevalence of bacteria in raw spices, role of microbiological testing, legal and regulatory requirements, and conclusions/additional resources on best practices for food safety.