Proposed Microbiological Standards for Ground Beef Based on a Canadian Survey

Abstract

Microbiological standards are proposed for ground beef sold in Canada. The proposal is based on a national survey conducted in 1974–75. The proposed standards are: aerobic colony count (35 C), ⩽ 107 for non-frozen and ⩽106 for frozen products; Escherichia coli, ⩽102; Staphylococcus aureus, ⩽102 per g; and Salmonella, absent in 25-g portions from each of five subsamples. To accomodate the variable distribution of bacteria between packages in a single lot of product, three-class plan based on a format suggested by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods is used.