Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 211
Question 4. When microbial testing is an appropriate verification activity (for finished product), what considerations
should a company apply in selecting the test microorganism (e.g., specific pathogen or specific indicator organism) and
type of test (e.g., presence/absence or enumeration)? What are appropriate indicator microorganisms for verifying
that processes adequately control pathogens?
Finished product testing (lot control and/or process control) may be appropriate if there is a change in supplier, if there
is concern regarding an emerging issue, if environmental monitoring data demonstrate a trend or if other seasonality
considerations for the fruit/vegetable source change the risk profile of the starting material.
Question 5. What principles and criteria should a company apply in determining the frequency of testing finished
product to determine if the company's food safety system for that product is effective?
For criteria, refer to National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (2018) Response to Questions
Posed by the Department of Defense Regarding Microbiological Criteria as Indicators of Process Control or Insanitary
Conditions. Journal of Food Protection: January 2018, Vol. 81, No. 1, pp. 115-141.
Question 6: Are there situations in which testing at sites other than the end of the process can achieve the goal of
verifying the adequacy of control of microbial hazards?
Pre-harvest testing or testing at receipt at the processing facility may be considered, depending on commodity and/or
other risk assessment parameters. Activities associated with supplier verification, assays and/or electronic monitoring
of wash water systems must account for varying acidity; microbial susceptibility and spoilage; comingled lots; crosscontamination from slicing. If we can conduct field or pre-harvest testing, that would be one situation. There should
be a direct correlation, assuming that the environmental monitoring is demonstrating a trend and/or change that
demonstrates an increase in risk of contamination during the processing; verification activities could include zone 1
testing and/or process control type of testing application.
Question 7: What criteria should a company apply in determining that microbial testing results indicate a loss of
(systemic) process control? What actions should a company take if test results indicate a loss of control? When
verification testing indicates loss of process control, to what extent should verification testing be increased, how far
upstream and downstream should it go, and when and how should it be scaled back?
For end products, microbiological testing is not considered a primary means of routinely assessing product safety
and stability. Assessment of safety is best carried out through the environment, the processing line. Microbiological
testing can provide a supporting role here, to verify washing step process control, and can be reduced based on results
demonstrating that the process is well under control. If significant changes are introduced or if there is a failure in the
process control, then testing can be intensified temporarily, to verify that the process returns to being under control.
Figure 6. Criteria for design of a microbiological testing program for fresh-cut fruit.
CONCLUSIONS
When a hazard analysis identifies a hazard that requires a
preventive control, microbiological testing can help a food
manufacturer be confident that their manufacturing process
is capable of controlling pathogens (validation) and is actually doing so (verification). It also can be used to verify sanitation of the environment and for supply chain verification
activities. Microbiological testing for verification of controls
for hazards identified as requiring a preventive control is particularly important for RTE foods, which will not be cooked
before consumption.
Should your firm test finished products for pathogens? "It
depends" and "it's complicated." Although testing of finished
products can inform you that one of your preventive controls
is not working, it is not recommended for determining final
lot acceptance. Because the defect rate (i.e., the rate at which
pathogens are present in samples) is likely to be very low, it is
not feasible to sample enough of the lot to ensure that it is free
of pathogens.
It is not always the best strategy (and in some cases not
advisable) to test for your target pathogen. The use of surrogate organisms in the validation of preventive controls and
the use of indicator organisms to verify the effectiveness of
preventive and sanitation controls will likely provide more
useful information than pathogen testing. Use of a surrogate
organism allows validation work to be completed on the
same equipment and in the same facility in which manufacturing occurs. In addition, indicator testing is often quantitative and can help identify trends that inform process control
more quickly.
The goal of environmental monitoring for pathogens is to
seek and find them, not to fear positive samples. The only
way to eliminate contamination is to find it. New technology
(next-generation sequencing that can link illnesses to manufacturing facilities) and regulatory changes (increased enforcement actions) together provide strong incentives for a food
manufacturer to identify and fix environmental problems as
soon as possible.
May/June Food Protection Trends
211
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020
An Assessment of Produce Growers’ Sanitizer Knowledge and Practices on the Correct Use of Sanitizers
Prevalence and Control of Bacteria on Single-user Touchscreen Mobile Devices
Food Safety in School Foodservice Operations: A Review of Health Inspections in the State of Missouri
Engaging Undergraduate Students in Food Safety Study and Food Microbiology Research
Beyond the Bio
PDG Highlight
General Interest Paper
Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Cover1
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Cover2
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 133
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 134
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 135
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 136
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 137
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 138
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 139
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - An Assessment of Produce Growers’ Sanitizer Knowledge and Practices on the Correct Use of Sanitizers
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 141
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 142
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 143
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 144
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 145
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 146
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Prevalence and Control of Bacteria on Single-user Touchscreen Mobile Devices
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 148
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 149
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 150
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 151
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 152
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 153
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Food Safety in School Foodservice Operations: A Review of Health Inspections in the State of Missouri
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 155
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 156
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 157
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 158
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 159
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 160
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 161
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 162
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 163
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Engaging Undergraduate Students in Food Safety Study and Food Microbiology Research
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 165
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 166
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 167
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 168
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 169
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 170
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 171
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Beyond the Bio
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 173
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 174
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - PDG Highlight
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 176
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 177
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 178
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 179
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 180
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 181
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 182
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 183
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 184
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 185
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 186
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 187
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 188
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 189
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 190
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 191
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 192
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 193
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 194
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 195
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 196
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 197
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 198
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 199
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 200
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 201
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 202
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 203
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - General Interest Paper
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 205
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 206
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 207
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 208
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 209
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 210
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 211
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 212
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 213
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 214
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 215
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - Cover3
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2020 - 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