Determination of Statistical Sampling Plans for Bacillus cereus in Salad and Kimbab

Abstract

The prevalence of Bacillus cereus was determined in salad and Kimbab obtained from commercial retailers. Among the 100 salad samples analyzed, 54 samples were negative for B. cereus, whereas the bacterial count was < 10 colony forming units (CFU)/g in 8 samples, < 100 CFU/g in 25 samples, < 1,000 CFU/g in 11 samples, and > 1,000 CFU/g in 2 samples. The mean (standard deviation) was 1.18 log CFU/g (± 0.71 log CFU/g). In Kimbab, B. cereus was isolated from 20 samples; the mean bacterial count was 1.01 log CFU/g (± 0.71 log CFU/g). On the basis of the monitoring data, a statistical sampling plan was determined with the NEWsampleplan program (ICMSF), which was used as an analytical tool. To identify the most suitable sampling plan, the microbial limits (m, M) and the maximum allowable number of sample units yielding unsatisfactory test results (c) were varied, but the number of samples units, n = 5, was fixed. Sampling plans showing an acceptable probability (Pa) over 0.95 were considered suitable. Two plans (A and B) were finally suggested. Parameters for plan A are n = 5, c = 0, m = 1,000, and M = 10,000 and for plan B are n = 5, c = 2, m = 100, and M = 1,000. Interestingly, the latter plan was identical to the microbial sampling plan used in New Zealand. Thus, it was concluded that the suggested plan can be used as a sampling plan that is in line with international standards.