Column Ramon Sterk: working together on food safety

Accidents can happen in an instant. Once Listeria monocytogenes enters a facility, every day counts when trying to contain a widespread contamination. In the worst-case scenario, it can result in serious illness or even the death of someone who consumed your product. Regardless of the outcome, an unwanted contamination can lead to substantial costs due to intensive cleaning procedures and product recalls.

Every food business must comply with EU Regulation 2073/2005. This regulation outlines the acceptable levels of microorganisms in food and forms the foundation for many HACCP plans and customer-specific requirements for import and export. It is key to ensuring the ongoing safety of our food supply. The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) monitors compliance with these regulations.

The regulation specifies which products must be tested, which parameters apply, when and how frequently tests should be performed. It also defines limit values and prescribes the methods to be used. Ready-to-eat products are particularly high-risk in this regard.

When dealing with certain microorganisms, such as Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes, rapid turnaround times for analysis are critical. At Nutrilab, we offer a broad range of testing services, including alternative methods that can deliver results as soon as the next day — rather than the typical three or more days.

It might sometimes feel like the level of testing in the Netherlands is excessive — “this product always meets the requirements anyway.” But apart from the extreme cases, it is still wise to periodically test products for indicator organisms and other relevant parameters, such as pH, water activity (A_w), and toxins. Prevention is better than cure.

At Nutrilab, both food safety and customer needs are central to our mission. Our team of specialists can assist you with targeted testing tailored to your specific products. Together, we can contribute to improving quality of life — one safe product at a time.

Ramon Sterk
Team Lead Microbiology/Allergens at Nutrilab