Enterobacteriaceae as indicators of good manufacturing practices in rendering plants.

Finished products and samples from the environment of the production line in rendering plants were checked for Enterobacteriaceae and salmonellae. Improvements in hygiene and measures taken to limit multiplication of microorganisms in the dry area of the production lines resulted in reduction of both numbers of Enterobacteriaceae in environmental samples and frequency of their occurrence in finished products. Simultaneously, there was an equivalent reduction of salmonellae positives in environmental samples and finished products. Consequently, the determination of Enterobacteriaceae can be used as an effective tool to assess the improvements in good manufacturing practices.