Studies on a collection of enterococci isolated from diverse sources have confirmed the existence of two distinct species, namely, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium. In contrast with S. faecium, S. faecalis characteristically ferments melezitose, sorbitol, glycerol (anaerobically), citrate, and gluconate; fails to ferment arabinose and melibiose; has strong reducing capacities as demonstrated by

Over a period of 4 years, 770 low-acid canned food spoilage incidents were investigated to determine the cause of spoilage. In 27 of these, the cause was attributed to the growth of bacteria of the Clostridium genus that had entered the cans as a result of post-processing leakage. No correlations were found that might explain the occurrence of this mesophilic anaerobic type of spoilage. It appears to be a random event, probably linked to cannery insanitation. A variety of species was found, consisting of both proteolytic and non-proteolytic types. Clostridium botulinum was not isolated from any of the canned foods examined, nor were any of the samples found to contain botulinal toxin. Container leak test methodology and principles are discussed.

I Fifty-nine samples of can-cooling water from 30 midwestern canneries were examined for aerobic plate count, salmonellae, coagulase-positive staphylococci, coliforms, enterococci, and mesophilic aerobic and anaerobic (putrefactive) spores including spores of Clostridium botulinum. No Salmonella or C. botulinurn were detected. Indicator bacteria counts were low with nearly 75% of the samples showing MPN levels of

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