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Factors impacting microbial load of food refrigeration equipment.

Author(s) : CARPENTIER B., LAGENDIJK E., CHASSAING D., et al.

Type of article: Article

Summary

The authors' aim was to determine factors that have an impact on the bacterial load of inner surfaces of food refrigeration equipment to develop recommendations that should be made to consumers. They investigated 23 domestic refrigerators (DRs) and, for comparison, six serve-over counters (SOCs). Several zones were studied for aerobic mesophilic counts (AMC) presumptive Bacillus cereus and coagulase-positive staphylococci. In addition, for each DR sample, we collected data on the condition of the sampled surface and refrigeration practices. In DRs, there was no correlation between AMC and temperature, relative humidity, pH or cleaning frequency. AMC counts in SOCs, which are cleaned and disinfected weekly, were similar to the figures from the less frequently cleaned DRs, but B. cereus and coagulase-positive Staphylococus were less frequently found in SOCs. In DRs, the highest AMC counts were reached when both condensation and food traces were visible, i.e. when growth conditions were met, resulting in a mean of 104 CFU/cm2 against of mean of 32 CFU/cm2 on clean surfaces and dry surfaces with food traces. Consequently, two recommendations for consumers are (1) to avoid condensation and (2) to clean up food spills as soon as possible. [Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. Copyright, 2011].

Details

  • Original title: Factors impacting microbial load of food refrigeration equipment.
  • Record ID : 30003629
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Food Control The International Journal of HACCP and Food Safety - vol. 25 - n. 1
  • Publication date: 2012/05
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2011.10.051

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