observation and experimentation it is possible to develop and use mathematical models to predict food safety impacts. By contrast, the traditional methods of testing are expensive, time-consuming and fraught with biological variabilities. Predictive microbiology is dependent upon sufficient information being available to enable calculations to be made. Fortunately, inexpensive electronic data logging devices that record the necessary information are now available and data can be down-loaded to a computer. In the event of a refrigeration malfunction information from a data logger may save a company considerable cost. Microbiological Sampling Microbiological sampling may be necessary when adequate information is not available. Previously, assessments have been made using criteria established by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods. However these criteria are designed to assess meat that was processed and transported under good manufacturing practice and are not appropriate for assessing meat that is known to have suffered temperature abuse. Appropriate baseline data must be available for microbiological sampling to be relevant. In the absence of such baseline data it may be necessary to sample the same product from the same plant, produced under normal conditions. Where there is insufficient information available, the following level of sampling may be required: Medium risk* APC and E. coli: 30 samples Baseline samples: 10 samples. High risk* APC and E. coli: 140 samples Baseline samples: 30 samples. *The risk rating will be assessed for each incident based on the circumstances relating to the incident. The department may need to be consulted in order to determine the risk rating and whether adequate baseline data are available. Information Required In the event of a departure from required refrigeration parameters (time and temperature), as much of the following information as possible should be gathered.
observation and experimentation it is possible to develop and use mathematical models to predict food safety impacts. By contrast, the traditional methods of testing are expensive, time-consuming and fraught with biological variabilities. Predictive microbiology is dependent upon sufficient information being available to enable calculations to be made. Fortunately, inexpensive electronic data logging devices that record the necessary information are now available and data can be down-loaded to a computer. In the event of a refrigeration malfunction information from a data logger may save a company considerable cost. Microbiological Sampling Microbiological sampling may be necessary when adequate information is not available. Previously, assessments have been made using criteria established by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods. However these criteria are designed to assess meat that was processed and transported under good manufacturing practice and are not appropriate for assessing meat that is known to have suffered temperature abuse. Appropriate baseline data must be available for microbiological sampling to be relevant. In the absence of such baseline data it may be necessary to sample the same product from the same plant, produced under normal conditions. Where there is insufficient information available, the following level of sampling may be required: Medium risk* APC and E. coli: 30 samples Baseline samples: 10 samples. High risk* APC and E. coli: 140 samples Baseline samples: 30 samples. *The risk rating will be assessed for each incident based on the circumstances relating to the incident. The department may need to be consulted in order to determine the risk rating and whether adequate baseline data are available. Information Required In the event of a departure from required refrigeration parameters (time and temperature), as much of the following information as possible should be gathered.