Bacteriological Quality of Delicatessen Foods: Are Standards Needed?

1975 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL J. PACE

Surveillance of seven types of delicatessen salads (chicken, egg, ham, macaroni, American potato, shrimp, and tuna) was conducted from March through July, 1974. Liver spread and sandwich spread were included in the sampling. Products were obtained from approximately 150 retail establishments. A separate surveillance of one central production unit and approximately 18 retail establishments, which it supplied, was also conducted. Twenty six percent to 85% of samples of products obtained from general retail outlets had aerobic plate count (APC) values of less than 100,000 per gram. Thirty six percent to 79% had coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) levels of less than 100 per gram, while 83 to 100% contained less than 10 Escherichia coli per gram. Some samples of each of the products contained low numbers of coagulase-positive staphylococci. Seventy one per cent to 96% of samples of various products, obtained from a central production unit, yielded APC values of less than 100,000 per gram. Forty five percent to 94% had coliform MPN values of less than 100 per gram. Two of six products contained low levels of coagulase-positive staphylococci in 9% and 2% of the samples examined.

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES F. FOSTER ◽  
JAMES L. FOWLER ◽  
JOHN DACEY

The microbiological quality of four frozen and seven fresh seafood products (597 units in total) obtained from a local retail store were analyzed. Aerobic plate count means (geometric) ranged from 3.5 × 103/g to 9.3 × 104/g for the frozen products and from 7.8 × 104/g to 2.7 × 108/g for fresh products. Average (geometric) coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) values ranged from 1.0 to 7. 7/g for the frozen items and from 7.8/g to 4.8 × 103/g for the fresh seafoods. Employing the MPN method, 4.7% of the 597 units analyzed were positive for Escherichia coli. while 7.9% were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Two percent of the samples contained Clostridium perfringens. Neither salmonellae nor Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated in any of the 597 units.


2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 1546-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHANIE L. MAKO ◽  
MARK A. HARRISON ◽  
VIJENDRA SHARMA ◽  
FANBIN KONG

This study determined the microbiological and chemical quality of ice produced and bagged on premises in retail establishments and in free-standing self-service ice vending machines in the state of Georgia and compared the results with that from ice produced by manufacturing companies monitored by the International Packaged Ice Association. Two hundred fifty bags of packaged ice samples were obtained from retail locations and self-service ice vending machines, along with 25 bags of packaged manufactured ice. Ice samples were melted within 24 h of collection and heterotrophic plate count SimPlates were used to detect heterotrophic bacteria present. Colisure and Enterolert assays were used to enumerate coliforms, nonpathogenic Escherichia coli, and enterococci. Membrane filtration coupled with enrichment was used to detect Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Confirmation tests were done for presumptive-positive pathogens. None of the manufactured ice had unacceptable microbial levels. Six percent of the ice samples bagged at retail sites and from ice vending machines contained unsatisfactory levels of heterotrophs compared with the limits set by the International Packaged Ice Association (≥500 most probable number [MPN]/100 ml). Thirty-seven percent of these samples contained an unsatisfactory level of coliforms (≥1.0 MPN/100 ml), 1% contained nonpathogenic E. coli, and 13% contained enterococci (≥1.0 MPN/100 ml). One sample tested positive for the presence of Salmonella and another tested positive for Enterobacter agglomerans. Ninety-five samples of packaged ice from retail establishments and vending machines (38%) had pH levels outside the acceptable range that can affect product flavor. Turbidity of three samples exceeded the acceptable level. No samples had unacceptable nitrate levels. Manufactured ice had better microbiological and chemical quality than ice packaged on the premises of retail locations and from self-serve ice vending machines.


1981 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. MCKINLEY ◽  
J. S. AVENS

The microbial quality of ground and comminuted turkey meat was examined using raw meat and meat after two cooking times. Eight triplicate samples were obtained from a commercial processing plant over an 8-month period and analyzed for aerobic plate count (APC), coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella. The APC for 29%of the raw ground and 0% of the raw comminuted turkey meat samples was greater than 5.0 × 106/g. Raw ground and comminuted meat yielded a mean coliform most probable number (MPN) of 2.2 × 102 and 6.2 × 102/g respectively. Mean E. coli MPNs per gram were 12 for raw ground and 49 for raw comminuted meat. Twenty-five percent of the 24 raw ground samples, and 46% of the comminuted samples exceeded 50 E. coli MPN/g. S aureus was isolated from 25% of the raw ground and 54% of raw comminuted samples. Salmonellae were isolated from 8% of the raw ground samples and 12% of raw comminuted samples. C. perfringens was isolated from 50 and 55% of 40 ground and 40 comminuted meat samples, respectively. Cooking reduced the microbial numbers and isolation frequency from all samples.


1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 647-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES F. FOSTER ◽  
RICHARD C. HUNDERFUND ◽  
JAMES L. FOWLER ◽  
JOHN T. FRUIN ◽  
LINDA S. GUTHERTZ

A survey of the microbial populations of 31 samples of ground beef (GB), textured soy protein (TSP), and ground beef extended with TSP (SGB) after 3 and 10 days of storage at 4 C was done. Analyses included aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic plate count (PPC), coliform Most Probable Number (CMPN) and plate determinations (CPC), Escherichia coli MPN (EMPN) and plate determinations (EPC), Staphylococcus aureus MPN, and fecal streptococcus plate count. Statistical analyses of data from the enumeration procedures showed significant increases in the total microbial flora after 10 days of storage. PPCs were significantly higher than APCs. CMPNs were significantly higher than CPCs for GB and SGB. The EMPNs were significantly higher than EPCs in SGB only. These products contained a variety of microorganisms many in large numbers; however if properly handled and cooked before consumption, these products should present no public health problems.


2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1113-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID PHILLIPS ◽  
DAVID JORDAN ◽  
STEPHEN MORRIS ◽  
IAN JENSON ◽  
JOHN SUMNER

The third national baseline microbiological survey of Australian beef carcasses and frozen boneless beef was conducted in 2004. Carcasses (n = 1,155) sampled at 27 slaughter establishments had a mean aerobic plate count (at 25°C) of 1.3 log CFU/cm2. Escherichia coli was isolated from 8.0% of the carcasses, with a mean count of −0.8 log CFU/cm2 for positive samples. On samples from 24 boning (fabrication) plants (n = 1,082), the mean aerobic plate count for frozen boneless beef was 1.3 log CFU/g, and the mean count for the 1.8% of samples with detectable E. coli was 1.5 log CFU/g. E. coli O157: H7 was isolated from 1 of 1,143 carcasses and from 0 of 1,082 boneless samples. Salmonella was isolated from 0 of 1,155 carcasses and from 1 of 1,082 samples of boneless product. No Campylobacter spp. were isolated from carcasses or boneless beef. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from 28.7% of beef carcasses and 20.3% of boneless beef samples, and positive samples had a mean count of 0.3 log CFU/cm2 and 0.8 log CFU/g, respectively.


1982 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace H Andrews ◽  
Philip B Mislivec ◽  
Clyde R Wilson ◽  
Verneal R Bruce ◽  
Paul L Poelma ◽  
...  

Abstract The behavior of microorganisms was studied in mung beans and alfalfa seeds before and after germination in modified, commercially available bean-sprouting kits. The microorganisms were enumerated by the aerobic plate count (APC) and by total yeast and mold count procedures. Salmonella species were artificially inoculated into selected samples and were enumerated by the most probable number (MPN) method. After germination of the beans or seeds into mature sprouts, significant increases were noted in APCs and in MPN values of Salmonella species. Although counts of yeasts and molds did not increase significantly after germination, these samples showed an increase in toxic Aspergillus flavus and potentially toxic Alternaria species. The presence of toxic Penicillium cyclopium molds also increased substantially in 5 samples of a single brand of mung beans. Analysis of selected sprout samples, however, showed no presence of aflatoxin.


1977 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. J. Yap

SUMMARYSamples of frozen precooked rock lobster meat from five South Australian fish-processing plants situated in the West Coast and south-east regions were tested over a period of six months during the 1974/5 lobster fishing season. The most probable number (MPN) ofE. coliand coliforms,Staphylococcus aureusandSalmonella, as well as total plate count (TPC) were determined in 480 samples. Monthly geometric mean TPC ranged from 1600/g to 25,000/g. The highest geometric mean of the MPN of coliforms andE. coliwere 4·9/g and 1·8/g respectively. The highest geometric mean number of staphylococci was 18·6/g.Salmonellawas not detected in the 480 units tested. Only 0·4% of the samples had TPC exceeding 100,000/g. Coliforms andE. coliwere not present in 76·1% and 92·7% respectively of the samples tested.Staphylococcus aureuswas not detected in 67·7% of the samples. The numbers of organisms in 82% of the samples fall within the microbiological standards proposed by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia for frozen precooked foods. The results of this study demonstrate the microbial quality of precooked lobster meat attainable when good manufacturing practices are used.


1981 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 821-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. TIWARI ◽  
V. W. KADIS

A total of 124 delicatessen meat products were analysed for microbiological quality shortly after purchase and following storage at 22 C for 24 h. Sixty-seven of these products were portion packages and 57 were cuts from bulk products. Coliforms, coagulase-positive staphylococci and Clostridium perfringens contamination was low. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples. Initially, 34.3% of the portion-packed and 24.5% of bulk cuts contained more than 107 total aerobic plate count per g and, following storage this proportion increased to 62.7% and 57.9%, respectively. Eight samples (11.9%) of portion-packed and seven samples (12.3%) of bulk cuts contained more than 107 psychrotrophs per g initially. After storage, 35% of both types of products yielded >107 psychrotrophs per g. Significant levels of fecal streptococci and yeasts were also isolated from many of these products, indicating need for improvement in manufacturing procedures and retail storage conditions. However, the results of this investigation indicated that chances of a public health hazard from delicatessen meat products would be low.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Javid Ali ◽  
Said Hassan ◽  
Dr Ziaurahman ◽  
Inayat Ur Rahman ◽  
Sadhair Abbas ◽  
...  

The present study was aimed to isolate and identify micro-organisms load of drinking water of Mardan city, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 27 samples of drinking water were collected from different locations of the study area. Total Plate Count was determined by pour plate method, while total coliforms, total fecal coliforms and E. coli were determined by multiple tube fermentation method. Of the total collected samples, 17 (62.96%) samples were contaminated with either one or more than one type of microorganisms. The results of most probable number test showed that 13 (48.15%) samples were unsatisfactory. It was concluded that the water should be treated before consumption for drinking purpose. Regular assessment of the water quality is recommended as regular monitoring of the water quality for improvement not only prevents disease and hazards but also checks the water resources from becoming further polluted. ECOPRINT 21: 1-6, 2014DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v21i0.11897


1966 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-281
Author(s):  
Bernard F Surkiewicz

Abstract A method for the microbiological examination of frozen and/or prepared foods as an index to the sanitary conditions under which the food was produced and/or stored was subjected to collaborative study. The method encompasses four determinations: aerobic plate count, the MPN (most probable number) of coliforms, the MPN of E. coli, and the numbers of S. aureus. Subdivisions of custard pie filling, some inoculated with E. coli, A. aerogenes, or S. aureus, were examined by four laboratories. Statistical evaluation of the results indicated that the method gives essentially equivalent results from laboratory to laboratory. It is recommended that the method be adopted as official, first action.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document