The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of temperature on inducing an alkaline-tolerance response in L. monocytogenes (Lm) serotypes 1/2a and 4b. When Lm cells were pre-exposed to a sublethal alkali pH of 9.0 at different temperatures, two main patterns were observed: (1) Alkali-stress adaptation was readily induced in Lm when cells were pre-exposed to a sublethal alkali pH of 9.0 for 5-15 min at 37°C or 22°C; and (2) Alkali-stress adaptation was not induced in Lm when cells were pre-exposed to a sublethal alkali pH of 9.0 for 1 h at 4°C. However, exposure of Lm to 4°C for 24 h enhanced its survival against lethal alkaline challenge (pH 11.5). Also, alkali-stress adaptation if occurred at 37°C or 22°C was highly stable at 4ºC even in the absence of mild alkaline stress which should be taken into account while conducting risk analysis for this pathogen.