A quantitative process model for Salmonella enteritidis in shell eggs

A stochastic model estimating growth of Salmonella Enteritidis during egg c ollection, processing, storage, and transportation is described. The model contains equations for internal egg temperature, yolk membrane integrity, a nd exponential growth rate of S. Enteritidis, Monte Carlo simulations deter mined that no growth was likely to occur during the average 4.5 d of the eg g's progression from lay through transportation. However, various time-temp erature combinations affected the subsequent abuse an egg can withstand bef ore S. Enteritidis growth begins. Scenarios demonstrated the relative impor tance of ambient air temperature and indicated the greatest safety improvem ents in this phase for shell eggs would result from preventing unrefrigerat ed storage or hastening cooling immediately after lay.