Optimizing sample plans to improve microbiological safety in a food processing plant

Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii are two leading causes of foodborne illness associated with low-moisture foods, including infant formula. Both causative organisms can persist in food manufacturing processing environments and contaminate finished product if programs are not in place to limit their introduction and control their spread. An environmental sampling and monitoring program is an important tool that food manufacturers use to determine the effectiveness of their sanitation practices and pathogen control efforts. Guidance for initiating an environmental sampling plan and evaluating the plan is lacking. The objective of this study was to develop microbiological environmental sampling plans based on the answers to a series of questions related to product hazards, processing risks and controls, and knowledge of appropriate microbiological sampling and testing protocols. Furthermore, these initial sampling plans were related to the volume of product and size of the processing facility. An interactive spreadsheet tool for designing sampling monitoring plans for an infant formula process was developed using Microsoft Excel. Additionally, the tool can be used to record qualitative and quantitative sample test results, and to alert the user how the upcoming sampling plan will be changed, if necessary, based on monthly test summaries. The sampling tool provides a simple method for selecting an appropriate environmental sampling plan (samples per zone per month) and provides a rationale and guidance for creating and modifying these plans. Effective sampling plans and trend analysis of sample test results support the food processors decisions for implementing controls to enhance food safety.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Life Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science and Technology

Department dc:contributor.department

Food Science and Technology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Masri, Hassan Mohamed

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Eifert, Joseph D.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Wang, Hengjian
• Boyer, Renee R.

• sampling plan
• pathogen
• low-moisture food
• environment

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:795

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/23194