Efficacy of a commercial concrete sealant against Listeria spp.: A model for poultry processing facilities

SUMMARY Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen isolated from food processing facilities and implicated in numerous foodborne outbreaks. In this study, the efficacy of BioSeal for Concrete (GreenSealed Solutions Inc., Johns Creek, GA) against L. monocytogenes (serotype 3 and Scott A) and Listeria innocua on concrete was evaluated. Concrete blocks were divided into 4 different treatments, A) no BioSeal, B) BioSeal before inoculation, C) BioSeal after inoculation, or D) BioSeal before and after inoculation, and blocks were challenged with the 3 isolates of Listeria spp. individually. Significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) populations of all 3 isolates of Listeria spp. were observed for treatment groups C and D compared with treatment group A on the external surface of cement blocks, whereas the survival populations on the internal surfaces varied for all 3 isolates. In conclusion, BioSeal for Concrete is an effective antimicrobial and has potential to be used in combination with other sanitation procedures to control Listeria spp. on concrete surfaces.