Quantification of microbial populations associated with the manufacture of vacuum-packaged, smoked vienna sausages.

Sources of contamination of vacuum-packaged vienna sausages by spoilage microorganisms were examined in a meat-processing plant. Microbial numbers present in the environment, on working surfaces and workers' hands and aprons were quantified by plate counting on selective media. Product line samples were taken at critical control points in the manufacturing process and analysed before and after preliminary incubation of vacuum-packaged samples at 25 degrees C for 24 h. In all samples the numbers of aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were determined by standard procedures. Contamination of sausage surfaces by lactic acid bacteria occurred as a result of the manufacturing and handling processes. The environment and specifically packers' hands, as well as working surfaces contributed to microbiological contamination of various types after removal of the peel from individual sausages. The preliminary incubation procedure allowed detection of low numbers of spoilage microorganisms.