The relationship between water activity (aw), lactate, and growth of Listeria monocytogenes strain Scott A was studied in a meat model system consisting of cooked strained beef ranging in moisture content from 25 to 85% (wt/wt). Lactate (4%) depressed meat aw, and differences between aw values in control and lactate-treated samples at each moisture level increased progressively with decrease in moisture, from 0.003 (85% moisture) to 0.046 (25% moisture). Maximum cell numbers per g in control samples stored at 20°C for 7 d were about 109 (45–85% moisture, aw= 0.981–0.994) and 107 (35% moisture, aw = 0.965); there was no growth in meat with 25% moisture (aw = 0.932). Sodium lactate (4%) suppressed listerial growth at >55% and inhibited growth in samples with 25–55% moisture (a < 0.964). Lactate concentrations less than 4% were not listeristatic, but combinations of 2 or 3% lactate with 2% NaCl in samples with 55% moisture inhibited growth. Potassium and calcium lactate were as effective as the sodium salt in suppressing growth and aw.