Pj. Mcclure et al., MODELING THE GROWTH, SURVIVAL AND DEATH OF MICROORGANISMS IN FOODS - THE UK FOOD MICROMODEL APPROACH, International journal of food microbiology, 23(3-4), 1994, pp. 265-275
Techniques for the development of mathematical models in the area of p
redictive microbiology have greatly improved recently, allowing better
and more accurate descriptions of microbial responses to particular e
nvironmental conditions, thus enabling predictions of those responses
to be made with greater confidence. Recognising the potential value of
applying these techniques in the food industry, the Ministry of Agric
ulture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) initiated a nationally coordinated f
ive-year programme of research into the growth and survival of microor
ganisms in foods, with the aim of developing a computerised Predictive
Microbiology Database in the UK. This initiative has resulted in the
systematic generation of data, through protocols which ensure consiste
ncy of methodology, so that data in the database are truly comparable
and compatible, and lead to reliable predictive models. The approaches
taken by scientists involved in this programme are described and the
various stages in the development of mathematical models summarized. I
t is hoped that this initiative and others being developed in the USA,
Australia, Canada and other countries, will encourage a more integrat
ed approach to food safety which will influence all stages of food pro
duction and, eventually, result in the development of an International
Predictive Microbiology Database.