Lactic acid bacteria are considered a major component of th e microbial population found on various types of vacuum-package d cooked sausages . Lactobacillus sake and Lactobacillus curvatu s have been shown to be common species in these products . L . sak e seems to form the predominant part of the spoilage population . Lactic acid bacterial growth on the surface of the sausage s produces undesirable sensory attributes, such as sour aroma an d taste . A specific spoilage phenomenon of commercial significance , characterized by long, stretchy, polysaccharide ropes betwee n sausages or sausage slices, has also been found . L . sake strains play a major role in this spoilage phenomenon as well . Cooking o f sausages during manufacturing destroys lactic acid bacteria on th e surface of the sausages . Sausages are recontaminated with spoilag e lactic acid bacteria mainly during the processing stages afte r cooking . During the chilling process, product contamination apparently results from exposure to airborne microorganisms . Workers and equipment are among the most likely sources of contamination during packaging and slicing . Spoilage strains originating from ra w material may spread to other areas in the production facility (i .e . , chill, slicing, and packaging rooms) via the air, workers and equipment . Decontamination methods can be used to prevent th e growth of spoilage microorganisms and to extend the shelf life o f vacuum-packaged sausages after packaging .