EU Regulation 29/2019 includes a number of amendments to EU Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria in foodstuffs. These are minor changes that are unlikely to have any impact on your hazard analysis or risk management. Of course it is good to take note of these changes. We will briefly explain two changes:

Vegetable sprouts
You may already have considered vegetable sprouts as a ready to use and a breeding ground for L. monocytogenes (category 1.2 in the Regulation). This has now been formalized in the new amendment to the 2073/2005. The description in the footnote to 1.3. has now been removed, based on research that has already taken place in 2011.

Alternative method
If you (or your laboratory) use alternative analysis methods, other than those described in the EU 2073/2005, the lab must obtain approval for this from a certifying body. Rules concerning this approval and associated validation have been modified. It is advisable to check which method your lab uses to perform the analyses and whether these have been accepted and approved in accordance with EU 2073/2005.

Would you like to know more about, for example, the classification of your products in accordance with EU 2073/2005 or about the analysis methods used? Please contact contractresearch@eurofins.com