Completed Research

This research identified optimal methods to test for the presence of Salmonella spp. on the hides, carcasses and feces of cattle.

This project determined the antimicrobial activity of different levels of protamine, a natural antimicrobial, on Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes on meat and poultry before and after cooking.

This research provided a complete secondary model for log-D with temperature, fat content and moisture content as independent variables. It also expanded thermal inactivation parameters for Salmonella lethality models. The results led to improved user interface and functionality for the AMI Process Lethality Spreadsheet.

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 study validated that controlled phase carbon dioxide was an effective method for reducing E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella and aerobic spoilage bacteria on beef trim and ground beef. This method had little or no impact on quality or sensory attributes.

This study determined the impact of packaging methods, including low-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging with carbon monoxide, and temperature abuse on the pathogen loads in ground beef inoculated with E. coli O157 and Salmonella. It also evaluated the effect of packaging methods and temperature abuse on the spoilage characteristics and shelf life of ground beef.

This research adapted and validated a model to predict the rate of Salmonella thermal inactivation as a function of both product temperature and prior sublethal thermal history. It also evaluated whether any resulting increase in Salmonella thermal resistance would have an impact on the compliance of typical commercial cooking operations with USDA-FSIS lethality performance standards for RTE products.

This white paper examined current methods for surveillance, and the collection of epidemiological information related to foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella spp. were analyzed to assess their effectiveness and limitations. Information on illness caused by salmonellae was critically evaluated with research projects and modifications of epidemiological data collection needed to close gaps in our understanding of these issues were suggested.

This project validated the safety of slower cooking and cooling times for large whole-muscle meat products to meet FSIS lethality and stabilization microbiological performance standards.

This study determined if selected strains of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella could grow under extreme temperature abuse conditions in a carbon monoxide MAP packaging environment.