The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published a Food Safety Information Notice (FSIN) for food business operators (FBOs) producing or placing Ready to Eat (RTE) seafood products on the market, which incorporates changes in Listeria monocytogenes microbiological criteria effective 1st July 2026.
From 1st July 2026, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 amends entry 1.2 of Annex I, Chapter 1 of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. The more stringent criteria - not detected in 25g - will apply to Category 1.2 RTE products throughout the shelf life of the food, unless the producing FBO can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the SFPA that Listeria monocytogenes will not exceed 100 cfu/g throughout the shelf life.
The FSIN sets out what this means for FBO’s and the steps businesses should take to ensure compliance. It is available at FSIN Changes to micro criteria for L mono.
The SFPA is committed to supporting compliance with legislation and is available to provide guidance. For assistance or further details on this FSIN, please contact sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie
ENDS
Note to Editor
This FSIN can be found on our website on this page
Seafood Safety Information Notices and Guidance | Sea Fisheries Protection Authority or via this link FSIN Changes to micro criteria for L mono
About the SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours. For further information visit: www.sfpa.ie