Many types of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms exist on fresh, minimally processed, and fully processed potato products. Potatoes are processed into many products including frozen, dried, ready-to-eat, and minimally processed. The microbiological quality of finished potato products is influenced by the natural microflora, processing, handling, and human contact. The natural microflora of potatoes are influenced by soil and airborne inocula, agricultural practices, harvesting methods, and storage conditions. The microflora of processed products are influenced by all of the factors and conditions affecting the natural microflora as well as the processes applied to the product. Increased consumer demand for new and existing potato products highlights the importance of ensuring their microbiological safety. This review considers the sources of microorganisms, microflora, foodborne disease pathogens, and outbreaks associated with, and selected microbiological research involving, potatoes and potato products.

Staphylococcus aureus strains were inoculated onto freshcut oil-blanched potato strips stored at 21 or 26.7 °C for up to 9 h to determine if the microorganism was capable of growth and staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) production. Potato strips were assayed for SE using a commercial ELISA kit prior to and following finish frying. S. aureus increased by 2.5 to 2.8 log CFU/g over 9 h at 26.7 °C, and SE was detected after 5 h. SE remained serologically detectable following finish frying of the potato strips. It is recommended that oil-blanched potato strips stored at 26.7 °C be finish fried and served, or discarded, within 3 to 4 h to prevent possible production of SE.

Fresh cut, oil blanched strips from whole potatoes stored at 7 or 13 °C were inoculated with approximately 3 or 5 log CFU/g Bacillus cereus and incubated at 21 or 26.7 °C for up to 9 h to model handling of "home-style" French fries. Whole potato storage at 13 °C and incubation at 26.7 °C resulted in faster growth than 7 or 21 °C. Frying (2 to 3.5 min at 185 °C) inactivated up to 5.1 log B. cereus spores. Oil blanched potato strips for "home-style" French fries should be stored at £ 21 °C or finish fried or discarded within 3 to 4 h.