Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 75
validation study. The details of the validation study depend upon the method of cooking and the product. In many cases, it may be appropriate to consult a statistician to assure that the study fully considers all variables that might significantly affect the adequacy of the final temperature achieved throughout the product during the cooking process. Each product type (including composition, size, shape, components, distribution, or package configuration) should be tested, unless worst-case conditions can be logically applied to cover multiple product variables. In general, testing should be performed with heavier samples in the lot or with maximum-sized pieces (e.g., ones that exceed the product specification by 1/8” in all dimensions). The initial temperature of tested product should be the lowest expected at the time of preparation in a typical consumer’s home. Thus, frozen products, unless they bear clear instructions that thawing is required prior to cooking, should be in their frozen state (0°F - 10°F) when testing begins. Type of cooking device Cooking directions are often provided to the consumer for a variety of cooking devices, such as microwave ovens, conventional or toaster ovens, and stovetops. Because of the fundamental differences in the way foods heat (i.e., the kinetics of heat transfer) in the various cooking devices, especially in microwave ovens, and the impact of the number of units being cooked at a time, the type of cooking device will certainly affect the design of the validation study. The guidelines provide specific information on validation testing for conventional and toaster ovens, fryers, and stovetops. However, validation testing for microwave ovens warrants the greatest attention in the guidelines. Factors to consider for microwave ovens Products bearing microwave cooking instructions are of particular concern, since non-uniform heating of foods in microwave ovens has been implicated as a key factor in undercooked food products resulting in a number of cases of salmonellosis (7, 8, 9). This non-uniform heating leads to cold spots in the product, which may allow the survival of pathogens such as Salmonella potentially present in components of NRTE foods. The guidelines cite microwave oven wattage, rotation of product, magnetron power output, number of units cooked at one time, cold spot determination and heating uniformity in product as key factors to be considered during validation of microwave cooking instructions. Determination of the wattage for each oven used is a fundamental step in validation studies involving microwave ovens. In general, cooking instructions should be validated using a number of ovens that span the range of wattages commonly used by consumers. However, validation studies for microwave cooking instructions can be conducted in several different ways, including running tests with the lowest wattage oven only; conducting tests with a range of consumer microwave oven wattages; and performing tests with the most common wattage used by consumers (~1100 watts). Each method is addressed in the guidelines. The guidelines cover many additional factors to be considered. Ideally, units that do and do not have certain features, such as carousels to rotate product during cooking, should be included in the tests. Any directions provided for manual rotation of the product during cooking should be based on validated test results. Manufacturers should consider the need to provide appropriate instructions on products for which they could reasonably expect consumers to microwave multiple units simultaneously. Examples are provided of various approaches manufacturers can take during validation testing to account for the fact that as the microwave magnetron heats up, the amount of power it generates for cooking decreases (as much as 20% in some cases). Another critical matter addressed in the guidelines is cold spot determination and product heating uniformity. To assure the safety of NRTE foods cooked in a microwave oven, it is necessary to determine that all portions of the product have reached a given temperature for a minimum period of time adequate for the appropriate log reduction of the pathogen(s) of concern. As previously noted, gaining this assurance can be particularly challenging for foods cooked in microwave ovens because of the likelihood of non-uniform heating. Thermal imaging may be useful in identifying cold spots, as well as hot spots. For safety assurance, the product temperature may need to be measured in multiple places in each sample to detect a cold spot. The importance of proper calibration of temperature measuring devices used in the validation study is noted in the guidelines. Clarity of instructions In addition to the critical importance of validating the cooking times and/or temperatures, it is also very important that cooking instructions are written so the consumer can easily follow them. One way to help ensure this is to have a method for consumers to provide feedback, and to monitor this feedback for any indication that the cooking instructions are hard to understand or difficult to use, or that when they were followed, the product was still cold or otherwise not well cooked. Such feedback should be used to review the adequacy/clarity of the cooking instructions. The guidelines acknowledge the value of including visual or other cues, where appropriate, with cooking instructions, especially those for microwave ovens, to help consumers recognize when a product has not been adequately cooked for safety and therefore may require additional cooking time. Examples of such cues could include a statement within the instructions informing the consumer that if the bottom of the tray is cold after the prescribed cooking time, then the product should be cooked for additional increments of time until the tray is warm or hot, or a statement to the effect that when the product is properly cooked, it will be steaming. Although this document deals with the scientific basis for cooking instruction validation, the importance of human factors in cooking instruction communication should not be overlooked. It is critical that the instructions provided to the consumer are clear, complete and well designed. For this reason, this guidance document also refers readers to a complementary document that addresses labeling issues relevant to NRTE food products. This document, “Recommended Guidelines for the Labeling of Microwave Cooking Instructions,” was developed by an American Frozen Food Institute working group (1). The guidelines also contain a table of recommended cooking time and temperatures for various products. In addition, an appendix of generic cooking instruction validation examples is included, along with some approaches to interpretation of results that were provided by GMA members based on their validation protocols. The examples include some approaches FEBRUARY 2009 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS 75
Food Protection Trends - February 2009
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - February 2009
Food Protection Trends - February 2009
Contents
Sustaining Members
Perspectives from Your President
Commentary from the Executive Director
Assuring the Safety of Not-Ready-to-Eat (NRTE) Products: Industry Guidelines for Validation of Consumer Cooking Instructions
Cooking Food Safely with Microwave Ovens: Challenges for the Food Industry
Special Interest Series: Newly Developed Workshop Series on “Molecular Methods in Food Microbiology”
2009–2010 Secretary Election
Abstracts – IAFP’s Fourth European Symposium on Food Safety
Audiovisual Library
Audiovisual Library Order Form
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
IAFP 2009: Networking Opportunities
IAFP 2009: General Information
IAFP 2009: Registration Form
Coming Events
Advertising Index
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Booklet Order Form
Membership Application
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Food Protection Trends - February 2009
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Cover2
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 57
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Contents
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 59
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 60
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 61
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 62
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 63
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 64
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Sustaining Members
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 66
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 67
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Perspectives from Your President
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 69
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Commentary from the Executive Director
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 71
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Assuring the Safety of Not-Ready-to-Eat (NRTE) Products: Industry Guidelines for Validation of Consumer Cooking Instructions
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 73
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 74
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 75
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 76
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Cooking Food Safely with Microwave Ovens: Challenges for the Food Industry
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 78
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 79
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Special Interest Series: Newly Developed Workshop Series on “Molecular Methods in Food Microbiology”
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 81
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 2009–2010 Secretary Election
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 83
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Abstracts – IAFP’s Fourth European Symposium on Food Safety
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 85
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 86
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 87
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 88
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 89
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 90
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 91
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 92
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 93
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 94
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 95
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 96
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Audiovisual Library
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 98
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 99
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 100
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 101
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 102
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 103
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 104
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 105
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 106
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 107
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 108
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 109
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 110
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 111
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Audiovisual Library Order Form
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 113
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - New Members
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 115
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - What’s Happening in Food Safety
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 117
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 118
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 119
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Industry Products
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 121
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 122
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 123
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - IAFP 2009: Networking Opportunities
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - IAFP 2009: General Information
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - IAFP 2009: Registration Form
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 128
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Advertising Index
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Booklet Order Form
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Membership Application
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 133
Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20231112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20211112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200807
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com