Meeting | Mixed
Event Title
Public Meeting on Listeria monocytogenes Prevention
August 18 - 19, 2026
- Date:
- August 18 - 19, 2026
- Day1:
- Tue, Aug 18
- Day2:
- Wed, Aug 19
On This Page
Date:
August 18-19, 2026
Time:
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Location:
The public meeting will be available in person or virtually. The in-person meeting will be held at:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building
5001 Campus Drive (auditorium)
College Park, MD 20740
How to Register
In-person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989329072808?aff=oddtdtcreator
Virtual: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989377943983?aff=oddtdtcreator
The FDA is hosting a public meeting on August 18-19, 2026, on Listeria monocytogenes prevention. This meeting will be the first in a series of public engagements, including workshops and webinars, to discuss best practices for managing risks posed by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). These discussions will highlight the perspectives of individual stakeholders and complement the agency's efforts to integrate the latest scientific advancements and emerging developments in the prevention of L. monocytogenes. During this event, there will be presentations and listening sessions on the following topics:
- Advances in the Understanding and Control of L. monocytogenes
- Best Practices in L. monocytogenes prevention
- L. monocytogenes Dose-Response Modeling: Applications and Advancements
- Using Food Safety Management Systems for Controlling L. monocytogenes in Retail Environments
- Preventing Listeriosis in an Era of Changing Demographics and Dietary Patterns
This public meeting will include participation from domestic and foreign government agencies, food and equipment manufacturers and trade groups, consumer groups, standard-setting bodies, physicians, and academic researchers as well as staff at FDA. Participation from a diverse group of experts and stakeholders will foster robust discussion on Listeria prevention strategies.
The meeting will include an opportunity for interested parties to provide oral comments for FDA’s consideration. In the coming weeks, FDA will announce key discussion questions and open a docket where interested parties can submit comments.
Background
Listeria monocytogenes is the fourth-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States (approximately 1250 cases and 170 deaths annually), posing the greatest risk to vulnerable populations including pregnant women, newborns and infants, adults over the age of 65, and immunocompromised persons. Outbreaks of listeriosis (the disease caused by L. monocytogenes) have been attributed to queso fresco-type cheeses, unpasteurized dairy products, and a variety of ready-to-eat products such as deli meats and raw or processed fruits and vegetables. Despite continued efforts, incidence rates of listeriosis have remained essentially static for more than a decade, indicating the need for new, collaborative approaches to reduce public health burden.
Submit Comments (Docket will be available soon!)
Additional Information
For general questions about the public meeting, please contact the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at HFP-OMFS@fda.hhs.gov.
Event Materials
Additional materials will be added here prior to the meeting.