Use of data for assessing process control and product acceptance

Abstract

This book provides practical guidance on appropriate testing of food processing environments, processing lines, shelf life and finished product to enhance the safety and microbiological quality of the food supply. Part I, Principles of Using Data in Microbial Control, summarizes the principles of Microorganisms in Foods 7: Microbiological Testing in Food Safety Management (2002), which illustrates how HACCP and Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) provide greater assurance of safety than microbiological testing, and also identifies circumstances where microbiological testing may play a useful role. Part II, Applications of Principles to Product Categories, updates and expands Part II of Microorganisms in Foods 2: Sampling for Microbiological Analysis: Principles and Specific Applications (1986) and builds on Microorganisms in Foods 6: Microbial Ecology of Food Commodities (2nd edition, 2005) with recommended tests and specific criteria for 19 food product categories to evaluate the effectiveness of controls.