Micro standards for RTE items
Where can I find out the limits of micro standards?
We produce RTE seafood products from surimi.
We test for Aerobic Plate Count, Coliform, E.Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.
I've searched the FDA website, but can't find anything. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
I don't know anything about surimi, but figured it would be the same as fish, no? Googled and found in the FDA mumbo jumbo:
Here the sampling plan and limits for the fish products have been given microorganisms like
- Escherichia coli
- Salmonella
- Vibriocholerae (O1 and O139)
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Clostridium botulinum
The following are the fish and fish products that these microbiological standards are applicable for:
Fish Mince/Surimi and analogues means comminute, mechanically removed meat which has been separated from and are essentially free from bones, viscera and skin. Surimi is the stabilized myofibrillar proteins obtained from mechanically deboned fish flesh that is washed with water and blended with cryoprotectants. Surimi analogues are variety of imitation products produced from Surimi with addition of ingredients and flavour.
Read through this and it made me very happy I'm not in the fish business!
Where can I find out the limits of micro standards?
We produce RTE seafood products from surimi.
We test for Aerobic Plate Count, Coliform, E.Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.
I've searched the FDA website, but can't find anything. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
It depends where on "Earth" you are.
afaik the USFDA are famous for issuing no official micro. standards other than some selected products and (self evident) zero-tolerant species like Salmonella.
See -
It depends where on "Earth" you are.
afaik the USFDA are famous for issuing no official micro. standards other than some selected products and (self evident) zero-tolerant species like Salmonella.
See -
I'm in the NW corner of the USA.
You're right, I have spent hours searching and haven't been able to find any standards. I did find "There is no consensus on acceptable microbiological levels in the US"
I found the NACMCF which didn't help much.
Unfortunately, my non-English speaking boss won't accept that answer. So, I keep searching until I find SOMETHING I can show him and refer too.
I'm in the NW corner of the USA.
You're right, I have spent hours searching and haven't been able to find any standards. I did find "There is no consensus on acceptable microbiological levels in the US"
I found the NACMCF which didn't help much.Unfortunately, my non-English speaking boss won't accept that answer. So, I keep searching until I find SOMETHING I can show him and refer too.
Hi Miss Frankie,
Historically, the FDA many years ago tried to set legal micro specs such as APC for a range of commodities but the result was a nightmare/disaster which may explain the current philosophy. Afaik though, some States do apply their own micro limits.
The UK, RTE, data compilations are widely borrowed, eg Canada, Australia, Hongkong if you can find an analogous product/category, Otherwise you will probably have to start Googling into the Literature.
Where can I find out the limits of micro standards?
We produce RTE seafood products from surimi.
We test for Aerobic Plate Count, Coliform, E.Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.
I've searched the FDA website, but can't find anything. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Like Charles said - use other countries limits. Australia works well.
Or another option - you can ask the question to the FDA. Show your boss their response. Their response time is usually slow.