GROWTH OF LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES, AEROMONAS-HYDROPHILA, AND YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA ON VACUUM AND SATURATED CARBON-DIOXIDE CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE-PACKAGED SLICED ROAST BEEF

The growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Aeromonas hydrophila and Yersini a enterocolitica on sliced roast beef packaged under vacuum or saturat ed CO2 controlled atmosphere conditions was measured. At -1.5-degrees- C, the pathogens declined in numbers in the controlled atmosphere pack s but were able to grow under vacuum packaging. At 3-degrees-C, growth occurred, with maximum numbers being reached at the end of the produc t's storage life. The increased shelf life of sliced roast beef incuba ted under a carbon dioxide controlled atmosphere compared to vacuum-pa ckaged beef did not, therefore, bring with it a concomitant risk assoc iated with the increased growth of these three pathogens over the exte nded storage period.