Sensilist

Listeria bacteria are feared because they can cause severe food poisoning when the amount becomes too high.

Sensilist is a new and innovative technology that makes it possible to measure very small amounts of Listeria in food and the environment. The method has high sensitivity and enables food manufacturers to assess whether the level of Listeria monocytogenes can affect food safety.

The method can contribute to increased sustainability by allowing a larger proportion of the food to be used while ensuring food safety.

Less food waste, safer food!

Listeria – a continuing challenge for the food industry

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most feared bacteria in the food industry. It is naturally found in soil and the environment, and can therefore easily find its way into production environments and foods. Because the bacteria can grow even during refrigerated storage, it poses a continuous risk to food safety.

To protect consumers, there are strict guidelines for the permitted amount Listeria in foods. The limit value is assessed at the end of the product's shelf life, and manufacturers are responsible for documenting that the levels are well below this before being released to the market.

The consequences of a listeriosis outbreak can be serious. The disease particularly affects pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immune systems, and can lead to birth defects, miscarriage or death. Of all foodborne pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes the one with the highest mortality rate.

Therefore, good monitoring and control are absolutely essential. Increased insight into the occurrence and spread of Listeria in both food and production environments contributes to safer products, reduced food waste and lower costs associated with recalls and outbreaks. This provides major benefits – not only for producers, but for the entire value chain and public health.

Sensilist Broth

The core of the method is Sensilist Broth – a liquid broth containing selective compounds, growth promoters and color indicators specific for pathogenic Listeria species. With a detection limit of <1 CFU/g, it enables both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Sensilist Broth distinguishes Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii from other Listeria species within 24–48 hours, and provides a presumptive positive detection within the same time frame.

You only need: swab the environment/weigh a product sample – mix with broth – incubate – read the color

Key features

Simple and quick to use, easy to read.
Results available after 24-48 hours.
Low detection limit product
Qualitative test: Detected/not detected
Quantitative test: Results down to <1 cfu/g
Color-changing test that makes interpretation easy.
Only one broth is required per sample, saving both money and work time.
Incubate at 37°C ± 1°.
Verification: one selective agar plate is used
No need for professionals to perform the tests
Tested on meat, fish and environmental samples (both clean and dirty surfaces)
12 months shelf life when stored at 2-8°C

The method has been tested by Campden BRI and is under validation at NordVal.

Sensilist is being tested at Campden BRI for validation at NordVal according to ISO 16140, as an alternative to ISO 11290 / NMKL 136.

Patent

The method has been patented and applied for protection in a number of countries. In Norway and several other countries, the patent has already been granted, while additional applications are under processing. The patent has been continued through the PCT scheme and is now being followed up via the European Patent Organization (EPO).

Packaging:

Broth (9x1L)
Label for easy identification of the result
MPN table for quantitative method
Instructions for use