Control of listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters and cooked pork chops by irradiation combined with modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of controlling Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters and cooked pork chops with irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) containing a high concentration of CO2. Frankfurters and cooked pork chops were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes and packaged in vacuum or high-CO 2 MAP. Irradiation was applied to each product at 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 kGy. No significant packaging effect was found for the radiation sensitivity of L. monocytogenes. Radiation D10-values for L. monocytogenes were 0.66 ± 0.03 and 0.70 ± 0.05 kGy on frankfurters and 0.60 ± 0.02 and 0.57 ± 0.02 kGy on cooked pork chops in vacuum and high-CO2 MAP, respectively. High- CO2 MAP was more effective than vacuum packaging for controlling the growth of survivors during refrigerated storage. These results indicate that irradiation and high-CO2 MAP can be used to improve control of L. monocytogenes in ready-To-eat meats. © International Association for Food Protection.