The present study describes the genetic characterization of L. monocytogenes strains found in the Republic of Kosovo’s food chain. From 2016 to 2022, 995 samples were collected. Overall, 648 samples were from ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, 281 from food products consumed cooked (FPCC), 60 from raw materials, and 6 from environmental samples. Overall, 11.76% (117 out of 995) of the samples were contaminated by L. monocytogenes, comprising 6.33% (41 out of 648) from RTE products, 14.95% (42 out of 281) from FPCC, 55.00% (33 out of 60) from raw materials, and 16.66% (1 out of 6) from environmental samples. All isolates were subjected to molecular serotyping and clonal complex (CC) identification by using real-time PCR, as well as multilocus sequence typing. All isolates were grouped into four molecular serotypes, IIa (34.19%), IIb (3.48%), IIc (32.48%), and IVb (29.91%), as well as Lineage I (33.33%) and Lineage II (66.66%). In total, 14 CCs were identified from 41 RTE isolates; however, CC29 (7), CC2 (6), and CC6 (6) were the most dominant. By contrast, CC9 was by far the most represented CC in both FPCC (21) and RM (14). Moreover, 30 isolates expressed CC1, CC2, CC4, or CC6, which are particularly associated with severe human infections.

In the absence of data on the reporting of L. monocytogenes resistance to antibiotics, we sought to determine which clonal complexes (CCs)/sequence types (STs) circulate in the food chain in Kosovo and to determine their antibiogram profiles to a panel of 18 antibiotics. From a total of 114 isolates, 21 different typical STs were identified by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Each isolate derived from the food categories was subjected to tests to verify its susceptibility to the selected antibiotics according to the designed Sensititre GPN3F panel. Among the different STs that were identified, CC9-ST9 was more abundant in meat products (38.75%) while CC29-ST29 was more abundant (24.0%) in dairy products. Moreover, these isolates showed marked resistance against levofloxacin (22.8%), gentamicin and rifampicin (17.5%), quinupristin/dalfopristin (14.9%), erythromycin (11.4%), penicillin (7.89%), tetracycline (1.75%), and streptomycin (0.88%). A total of 27 multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotypes were observed amongst the isolates, which ranged from 3 to 12. The ARI of the food category including meat and meat products (MMP, 0.22) and fish meat products (FMP, 0.26) were >0.2, the permissible Krumperman threshold. The number of strains with MAR values >0.2 was 34, (29.8%). The identification of typical multidrug-resistant STs among L. monocytogenes isolates in Kosovo constitutes a potential threat to food safety and public health, which requires a continuous and expanded surveillance system to prevent the further spread of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) isolates.

The growing consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has increased attention to their microbiological safety, particularly under refrigerated storage conditions. Although the PBMA market has expanded rapidly, data on the microbiological status of industrially produced, heat-treated products remain limited. The present study aimed to evaluate, within a descriptive framework, the microbiological safety of industrially produced, heat-treated PBMAs during refrigerated storage. A total of 100 PBMA formulations, including salami-type and frankfurter-type ready-to-eat products, were manufactured under standardized industrial conditions and subjected to validated thermal processing (core temperature ≥ 92 °C for varying durations). Microbiological analyses were conducted at four predefined storage intervals (day 0, day 15, day 35, and day 60 at 0˗4 °C) to assess the presence of selected foodborne pathogens (Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes) and hygiene indicator microorganisms (generic Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus). Intrinsic physicochemical parameters relevant to microbial survival and growth, including pH, water activity, moisture content were also determined. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected (absence in 10 g) in any sample at any storage time point. Hygiene indicator microorganisms were not detected during early storage (day 0-15), while limited occurrence was observed at extended storage (day 60), including Escherichia coli (3%), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (20%), and Bacillus cereus (15%). Detected Staphylococcus aureus levels ranged between 103 and 105 CFU/g. These findings indicate strong microbiological stability during early refrigerated storage, with limited microbial occurrence at extended storage intervals (day 60). Overall, the evaluated products demonstrated a favorable microbiological safety profile under the applied processing and storage conditions. Given formulation heterogeneity and the absence of biological replication, findings are interpreted descriptively and provide an industrially relevant safety overview rather than inferential conclusions.

The growing popularity of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has increased interest in their microbiological safety, particularly during refrigerated storage. However, despite the rapid expansion of this product category, limited information is available on the microbiological status of industrially produced, heat-treated PBMAs. This study evaluated the microbiological safety of heat-treated PBMAs during refrigerated storage using a descriptive approach. A total of 100 formulations, including salami-type and frankfurter-type products, were produced under standardized industrial conditions and subjected to thermal processing at a core temperature of ≥92 °C. Microbiological analyses were carried out at four storage intervals (day 0, 15, 35, and 60 during storage at 0–4 °C), focusing on selected foodborne pathogens and hygiene indicator microorganisms, together with key physicochemical parameters, including pH, water activity, moisture content, and salt content. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Enterobacteriaceae were not detected in any sample throughout the storage period. Hygiene indicator microorganisms were not detected during early storage (day 0–15), while limited occurrence was recorded at extended storage (day 60), including Escherichia coli (3%), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (20%), and Bacillus cereus (15%). Detected Staphylococcus aureus levels ranged between 10³ and 10⁵ CFU/g. Overall, the results suggest good microbiological stability during early refrigerated storage, with some microbial presence appearing at extended storage. These findings provide a practical overview of the microbiological safety of heat-treated PBMAs under typical industrial processing and storage conditions. From an industrial perspective, these results may support the establishment of appropriate refrigerated storage limits, post-processing hygiene control, and routine microbiological monitoring strategies for heat-treated PBMAs.