The changes to EU Listeria legislation represent a significant shift in food safety expectations.

For UK food and drink exporters, these changes are not just regulatory, but also strategic: they affect how products are formulated, tested, manufactured, and shipped. Businesses that act early — by conducting shelf-life studies, strengthening hygiene measures, especially in the fabric of buildings, and budgeting for increased testing — can gain a competitive advantage.
Those that delay risk non-compliance, costly recalls, or exclusion from EU markets.
While the burden may be especially heavy for SMEs, proactive planning, regulatory engagement, and leveraging external expertise can help mitigate these risks.

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