Changing Perspectives In Applied Microbiology

The aims of this book remain the same, that is, that it should be of in terest to all those people concerned with, or about, food hygiene in the broadest sense. There was clearly a need for a book of this sort and its success has necessitated a second edition. It will, I hope, answer criticisms that were justifiably made about certain omissions and shortcomings levelled at the earlier edition. The whole book has been thoroughly revised with the introduction of several new sections to various chapters. During the time that has elapsed since the earlier edition appeared there has been much publicity about newer forms of 'food poisoning'. Thus listeriosis is discussed in some detail whilst the problems of salmonellas in eggs and BSE are also considered. Interest in irradiated foods has waxed and waned but it is rightly included in the relevant chapter. There has been much progress in methodology with the advent of advanced molecular techniques such as gene probes and that of PCR; these are discussed briefly. I have included sections on HACCP which has come into great prominence in recent years thus answering a specific criticism made of the earlier edition. The chapter on water and waste disposal contains material on Legionnaires' disease and cryptosporidiosis, infections of much concern at the present time. Finally, the chapter on legislation has undergone a major revision with far greater emphasis being placed on EC food hygiene legislation.

For centuries man has treated food to prolong its edible life, and nowadays both traditional and modern preservatives are used widely to ensure the satisfactory maintenance of quality and safety of foods. There continues to be increased public concern about the use of food additives, including preservatives, resulting from a perception that some of them may have deleterious effects on health. However, as eating habits have changed with an emphasis on what has been popularly termed a `healthy diet', there is at the same time a concern that reduction in preservative usage could lead to loss of safety and protection from food poisoning. While some preservatives are coming under increasing regulatory pressure others, particularly more natural ones, are receiving increased attention and gaining in importance and acceptability. This book supports the continued safe and effective use of preservatives within these current constraints. It therefore gives detailed information on the practical use of the major antimicrobial preservatives. Uniquely, it couples this with current understanding of their modes of action, at the levels of cellular physiology and biochemistry, in such a way as to provide a sound scientific basis for their efficacy. Such an approach also encourages the future logical development and use of preservatives.

Principles and Practices for the Safe Processing of Foods presents information on the design, construction, and sanitary maintenance of food processing plants. This book also provides guidelines for establishing and implementing the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) System and for training personnel in hygienic practices. This text is divided into 13 chapters and begins with the assessment of corporate policies concerning the controlled production of clean, wholesome foods in a sanitary manner. The next chapters deal with some of the requirements for safe food processing, including the establishment and implementation of HACCP rules, building status, sanitation, and personnel. A chapter briefly covers the structure of some microorganisms that affect safe food, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This topic is followed by discussions of the biological factors underlying food safety, preservation, and stability; the principles and application of microbiological control methods; pathogenicity and pathogen profiles; and enzymes and their importance in food spoilage. The last chapters examine the aspects of microbiological safety in food preservation technologies and the criteria for ingredients and finished products. This book will prove useful to food manufacturers, policy makers, and public health workers.

This volume presents detection and identification methods for bacteria and yeast. Chapters are written by expert laboratory practitioners and instrument makers and focuses on those methods that show widespread practical application, such as ATP luminescence. Food applications include rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria in raw milk, pasteurized milk, other dairy products, and raw meat. Other topics include brewing applications for beverages, starter culture monitoring, clinical analyses, blood and urine analysis procedures, analysis of aerosols, bioprocess safety, and biodeterioration. This book is a must for microbiologists in food quality labs and clinical labs.

The safety of fresh meat continues to be a major concern for consumers. As a result, there has been a wealth of research on identifying and controlling hazards at all stages in the supply chain. Improving the Safety of Fresh Meat reviews this research and its implications for the meat industry. Part I discusses identifying and managing hazards on the farm. There are chapters on the prevalence and detection of pathogens and on chemical and other contaminants. A number of chapters also discuss ways of controlling such hazards in the farm environment. Part II of the book reviews the identification and control of hazards during and after slaughter. There are chapters on both contamination risks and how they can best be managed. The book also discusses the range of decontamination techniques available to meat processors as well as such areas as packaging and storage. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Improving the Safety of Fresh Meat will be a standard reference for the meat industry.

This collection of 23 contributions reviews the most common instruments for measuring food quality both on the processing line and in the laboratory. Each chapter describes an instrument's underlying principles with emphasis on aspects relevant to food applications, identifies the significance of the variables measured, and assesses the accuracy of the technique for specific food groups. The second edition adds eight chapters. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.