title: Microbiological performance of a food safety management system in a food service operation.
abstract: The microbiological performance of a food safety management system in a food service operation was measured using a microbiological assessment scheme as a vertical sampling plan throughout the production process, from raw materials to final product. The assessment scheme can give insight  into the microbiological contamination and the variability of a production process and pinpoint bottlenecks in the food safety management system. Three production processes were evaluated: a high-risk sandwich production process (involving raw meat preparation), a medium-risk hot meal production  process (starting from undercooked raw materials), and a low-risk hot meal production process (reheating in a bag). Microbial quality parameters, hygiene indicators, and relevant pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli O157) were in  accordance with legal criteria and/or microbiological guidelines, suggesting that the food safety management system was effective. High levels of total aerobic bacteria (>3.9 log CFU/50 cm(2)) were noted occasionally on gloves of food handlers and on food contact surfaces, especially  in high contamination areas (e.g., during handling of raw material, preparation room). Core control activities such as hand hygiene of personnel and cleaning and disinfection (especially in highly contaminated areas) were considered points of attention. The present sampling plan was used to  produce an overall microbiological profile (snapshot) to validate the food safety management system in place.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, University of Ghent, Coupure Links, 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. evy.lahou@ugent.be
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lahou
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacxsens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daelman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Landeghem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uyttendaele
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D059022:Food Safety; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors