As of 1 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 has entered into application, amending Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 and strengthening the microbiological criteria regarding the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods.

This regulatory update particularly affects ready-to-eat products, or RTE, capable of supporting the growth of the microorganism during storage. For food businesses, it becomes even more crucial to have reliable data to classify the product, validate its shelf life, and demonstrate the maintenance of microbiological safety until the end of the declared storage period.

Testing for Bacillus cereus in food represents an important step in microbiological control programs, especially for companies processing raw materials or products subjected to cooking, cooling, storage, or handling following heat treatment.

Thanks to Neogen's Petrifilm™ Bacillus cereus Count Plate, laboratories can now perform the enumeration of microorganisms belonging to the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group through a faster and more standardized procedure compared to traditional culture methods.