Guidelines for microbiological challenge testing

Microbiological challenge testing is the laboratory simulation of what can happen to a food product during distribution and subsequent handling. This involves inoculation of the food product with relevant micro-organisms and/or holding of the product under a range of controlled environmental conditions in order to assess the risk of food poisoning or to establish product stability. These guidelines cover the main reasons and parameters which must be taken into account when devising a challenge test. Safety measures, critical factors to consider, challenge test design, and inoculation of micro-organisms are detailed. The contents include:

• Definition of challenge testing
• Introduction
• Safety measures to be observed during challenge testing
• Critical factors to consider
• Design of challenge tests
• Inoculation of micro-organisms
• Conclusions
• Worked example - perishable product
• Worked example - shelf stable product

Softcover - 48 pages