After consultation with the business community, the Handbook of Food Microbiology has been published, the successor to Information Sheet 85. The handbook is intended for companies that produce, process, or distribute food. In the handbook, the NVWA explains the legal rules regarding food microbiology.
The new Handbook of Food Microbiology provides further explanation on conducting Listeria monocytogenes studies. Attention is given to the new Technical Guidance Document (TGD). It also addresses (upcoming) changes in legislation.
During the consultation round, 21 responses were submitted, with a total of 172 comments. The submitters received a personal response to their comments. After the publication of the Dutch version of the handbook, it will be translated into English and also published on this website.
What has changed?
Information Sheet 85 continues under the name Handbook of Food Microbiology. The main changes are:
- Different structure: the handbook is more searchable thanks to the clickable table of contents.
- Current content: the handbook includes current versions of legislation and guidance documents, such as the amendment to the Food Act Decision on Preparation and Treatment of Food (WBBL) and the TGD.
- Breadth of context: Information Sheet 85 was mainly focused on the interpretation of Regulation 2073/2005. The handbook places this regulation within the broader context of national and European legislation regarding food microbiology.
- Addition of new chapters on environmental research and monitoring by the NVWA.
Key changes following the consultation round:
- Textual and administrative changes, such as references.
- The handbook has been made digitally accessible.
- The future amendment of Regulation 2073/2005 (which will take effect on July 1, 2026) has been mentioned.