WASHINGTON – Listeria monocytogenes control at retail outlets will be the subject of a public meeting hosted by the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The meeting is scheduled for March 29-30 in Washington.

The meeting also will include discussions about the possibility of including mandatory features on the labels of processed, not-ready-to-eat products that appear as ready-to-eat. Both issues will be presented to the full committee. Later, the committee will divide into two subcommittees for discussions. Each subcommittee will report their comments and recommendations to the full committee on March 30.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is accepting comments through April 30 on the subjects of Listeria monocytogenes control at retail outlets and label features of not-ready-to-eat products that appear as ready-to-eat.

For meeting information and details, contact Natasha Williams at (202) 690-6531 or natasha.williams@fsis.usda.gov.