Completed Research

This study showed that lactoferrin added as a formulation ingredient in bologna was not as effective as the combination of other antimicrobials, but when used in frankfurters, lactoferrin combined with other antimicrobials was effective.

This study demonstrated that aerosol particle size, relative humidity and distance from the air handling unit impacted settling rate and potential that exposed ready-to-eat products may become contaminated.

This research followed up on previous research that demonstrated the effectiveness of antimycotic agents in controlling Listeria. The resulting data has been used to obtain provisional FSIS approval of sorbate, benzoate and propionate

This research continued the development of IMS for detection of Listeria. It also focused on developing sample mechanisms for direct and aerosol sampling that would allow the samples to be analyzed directly by IMS techniques.

This project reviewed the FSIS Risk Assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in deli meats and examined the model assumptions and model construct to determine whether they were appropriate and applicable to actual industry “what if” scenarios.

This study identified a non-pathogenic bacterium that has heat resistance properties similar to Listeria and Salmonella in meat and poultry. Research developed protocols for the use of a non-pathogenic surrogate organisms in processing facilities to validate thermal processing.

This research showed that combinations of pre- and post-packaging processing were effective in reducing levels of Listeria monocytogenes. Research also demonstrated that some pre-packaging antimicrobials were more effective than others, with most not effective on uncured turkey products.

This study evaluated the efficacy of antimycotics (sorbate, propionate and benzoate) to control the growth of L. monocytogenes in uncured turkey and cured bologna. The addition of 0.1% combined antimycotic agents effectively delayed or prevented growth of L. monocytogenes in cured processed meat.

The research determined that surface treatment using monocaprylin with acetic acid was effective in reducing Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters. As an ingredient added to the product, monocaprylin was only moderately effective.

This research evaluated the extent to which levulinate, a 5-carbon organic acid, inhibited growth of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat products as compared to, and in combination with, lactate and diacetate.