1997. Chicken breasts with skin were packaged either in air, under vacuum or in modified atmospheres of (i) 30% CO 2 /70% N 2 and (ii) 70% CO 2 /30% N 2 . After 3, 7, 14 and 21 days of storage at 4°C, the samples were evaluated for spoilage microbial growth, odour and overall aspect. As expected, pseudomonads grew well in air or under vacuum, but growth was suppressed in both types of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). However, growth of lactobacilli, Enterobacteriaceae and Brochothrix thermosphacta was not inhibited in MAPs. Modified atmosphere packaging (ii) extended shelf-life up to 21 days compared to 5 days for air-packed samples.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and sensory quality as well as the safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked foods prepared in and distributed from a centralized kitchen to schools in Argentina. A total of 101 cooked food samples delivered as hot RTE cooked foods (group A) and as RTE cooked foods at room temperature (group B) and 140 surface swab environment samples were collected from February to November 1999. Petrifilm plates were used for aerobic (PAC), coliform (PCC), and Escherichia coli (PEC) counts. Standard methods were used to determine Enterobacteriaceae (EntC) and thermotolerant coliform counts (TCC). Samples were also tested for the presence of Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium perfringens. Food temperatures just before samples were put into containers ranged from 80 to 98 degrees C and from 28 to 32 degrees C for group A and group B, respectively. For group A food samples, PAC ranged from 1.04 to 3.50 log CFU/g, and PCC, PEC, TCC, and EntC were not detected. For group B food samples, PAC ranged from 3.63 to 6.48 log CFU/g, PCC ranged from 1.90 to 5.36 log CFU/g, TCC ranged from 1.30 to 3.95 log CFU/g, and EntC ranged from 3.60 to 5.46 log CFU/g. Of the foodborne pathogens, only B. cereus was isolated (63.4% of samples) in both food groups (<4 log CFU/g). The microbiological and sensory quality and the safety of group A foods were satisfactory. Large numbers of PAC and EntC detected in group B foods show that better control is needed to avoid potential foodborne diseases.

Shredded, washed and centrifuged cabbage was packaged in monooriented polypropylene (OPP) bags, inoculated with Salmonella hadar and stored 10 days at 4ЊC, 12ЊC and 20ЊC. Microbiological, appearance, odor and headspace gas analysis were evaluated throughout storage. S. hadar and mesophilic aerobic and psychrotrophic microorganism growth was affected by storage time and temperature. S. hadar counts were lower (pϽ0.05) at 4ЊC than at 12ЊC and 20ЊC. The score ratings for general appearance, wilting, browning and off-odor showed that all samples were commercially acceptable. Results indicated that S. hadar could survive and proliferate on minimally processed cabbage, thereby posing a potential hazard to consumers.

Washing disinfection with chlorine is widely used to reduce the initial microbiological load during the preparation of minimally processed vegetables. The effects of initial concentration of chlorine, time and the liquid volume:produce weight ratio on the reduction of Salmonella counts on inoculated spinach were evaluated using response surface methodology. Initial chlorine concentration, time and the interaction between them had a significant effect on reduction of Salmonella populations. However, the liquid volume:produce weight ratio did not have significant effects. The highest Salmonella reduction was around 1·2–1·4 log at 125 ppm during 8 min regardless of the water:produce ratio. According to the results, chlorination reduced Salmonella hadar population, but the complete elimination from the produce was not achieved.