Genomic insights into Listeria monocytogenes in Chengdu catering facilities: disinfectant tolerance and stress adaptation mechanisms

Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant threat in food service environments due to its environmental robustness and pathogenicity. In this study, L. monocytogenes contamination across 24 catering facilities in Chengdu highlighted potential public health concerns, with a 6.43% (40/622) prevalence rate and meat processing areas as primary hotspots (13.48%, 19/141; cleaned meat: 25.0%, 6/24; cleaning pools: 20.83%, 5/24). Cross-contamination pathways from raw to cooking area were identified in 2