PSYCHROTROPHIC CLOSTRIDIUM SPP ASSOCIATED WITH BLOWN PACK SPOILAGE OFCHILLED VACUUM-PACKED RED MEATS AND DOG ROLLS IN GAS-IMPERMEABLE PLASTIC CASINGS

'Blown pack' spoilage of vacuum-packed chilled beef, lamb and venison, and of a cooked meat product, chilled dog rolls packed in an oxygen-i mpermeable plastic casing, was characterised by sensory, chemical and microbiological analysis. Investigation of the probable causative agen ts led to the isolation of eight strains of psychrotrophic clostridia. Three strains have been provisionally identified as C. difficile, C. beijerinckii and C. lituseburense; the other five remain unidentified. In inoculation studies only one isolate produced significant amount o f gas on meat, causing pack 'blowing'. It is, therefore, possible that 'blown pack' spoilage involves a synergism with one or more other org anisms.