21 CFR § 112.146 - What actions must I take if the growing, harvesting, packing, or holding environment tests positive for Listeria species or L. monocytogenes?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s112.146"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 112.146 - What actions must I take if the growing, harvesting, packing, or holding environment tests positive for Listeria species or L. monocytogenes?"
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "112.146"
section_name: "What actions must I take if the growing, harvesting, packing, or holding environment tests positive for Listeria species or L. monocytogenes?"
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION"
part_number: "112"
part_name: "STANDARDS FOR THE GROWING, HARVESTING, PACKING, AND HOLDING OF PRODUCE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "21 U.S.C. 321, 331, 342, 350h, 371; 42 U.S.C. 243, 264, 271."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 74547, Nov. 27, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "112"
---


# 112.146 What actions must I take if the growing, harvesting, packing, or holding environment tests positive for Listeria species or L. monocytogenes?

You must, at a minimum, take the following actions if you detect *Listeria* species or *L. monocytogenes* in the growing, harvesting, packing, or holding environment:

(a) Conduct additional testing of surfaces and areas surrounding the area where *Listeria* species or *L. monocytogenes* was detected to evaluate the extent of the problem, including the potential for *Listeria* species or *L. monocytogenes* to have become established in a niche;

(b) Clean and sanitize the affected surfaces and surrounding areas;

(c) Conduct additional sampling and testing to determine whether the *Listeria* species or *L. monocytogenes* has been eliminated;

(d) Conduct finished product testing when appropriate;

(e) Perform any other actions necessary to prevent recurrence of the contamination; and

(f) Take appropriate action to prevent any food that is adulterated under section 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act from entering into commerce.