Microorganisms in Foods 6: Microbial Ecology of Food Commodities

The second edition ofMicrobiologyofFoods6:MicrobialEcologyofFoodCommodities was written by the ICMSF, comprising 16 scientists from 11 countries, plus consultants and other contributors to chapters. The intention of the second edition was to bring the ?rst edition (published in 1996) up to date, taking into account developments in food processing and packaging, new products, and recognition of new pathogens and their control acquired since the ?rst edition. Theoverallstructure ofthechapters hasbeen retained,vizeachcovers(i)theimportantpropertiesof thefoodcommoditythataffectitsmicrobialcontentandecology,(ii)theinitialmicro?oraatslaughteror harvest, (iii) the effects of harvesting, transportation, processing, and storage on the microbial content, and (iv) an assessment of the hazards and risks of the food commodities and (v) the processes applied to control the microbial load. In 1980s, control of food safety was largely by inspection and compliance with hygiene regulations, together with end-product testing.MicroorganismsinFoods2:SamplingforMicrobiologicalAnalysis: PrinciplesandSpeci?cApplications(2nded.1986)putsuchtestingonasounderstatisticalbasisthrough samplingplans,whichremainusefulwhenthereisnoinformationontheconditionsunderwhichafood has been produced or processed, e.g. at port-of-entry. At an early stage, the Commission recognized that no sampling plan can ensure the absence of a pathogen in food. Testing foods at ports of entry, or elsewhere in the food chain, cannot guarantee food safety.

The second edition of Microorganisms in Foods 6: Microbial Ecology of Food Commodities is intended for those primarily in applied aspects of food microbiology. For 17 commodity areas it describes the initial microbial flora and the prevalence of pathogens, the microbiological consequences of processing, typical spoilage patterns, episodes implicating those commodities with foodborne illness, and measures to control pathogens and limit spoilage. The control measures are presented in a standardized format in line with international developments in risk management. A comprehensive index has also been added.

Microorganisms in Foods 5, 7, and the second edition of Microorganisms in Foods 6 are for anyone using microbiological testing and/or engaged in setting Microbiological Criteria, whether for the purpose of Governmental Food Inspection and Control or in Industry, and for those identifying the most effective use of microbiological testing in the food chain. The contents are essential reading for food processors, food microbiologists, food technologists, veterinarians, public health workers and regulatory officials. For students in Food Science and Technology they offer a wealth of information on Food Microbiology and Food Safety Management, with many references for further study.

The information has been prepared by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF). The ICMSF was formed in response to the need for internationally acceptable and authoritative decisions on microbiological limits for foods moving in international commerce. Currently the membership consists of eighteen food microbiologists from eleven countries, drawn from governmental laboratories in public health, agriculture, and food technology, from universities and from the food industry.