A contemporary survey of the microbiological profile of five milled cereal grains—wheat, corn, oats, whole wheat, and durum—was conducted largely from 2003 to 2005, with routine laboratory data obtained by North American dry-milling operations. When compared to data reported in the previous century, the contemporary data showed similar or reduced quantitative counts for indicator tests (e.g., total aerobes, yeasts, molds, coliforms, and Escherichia coli) as well as a substantially lower incidence of salmonellae. The implementation of modern management systems for the control of food quality and safety, i.e., good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices, and the hazard analysis critical control point system, together with the excellent microbiological profiles, has eliminated the need for microbiological specifications and lot acceptance criteria for milled cereal grains. Instead, microbiological monitoring guidelines, such as the periodic testing of aerobic plate counts and mold counts, can be used to verify compliance with the requirements of food quality and food safety management systems.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
April 01 2007
Role of Microbiological Guidelines in the Production and Commercial Use of Milled Cereal Grains: A Practical Approach for the 21st Century
WILLIAM H. SPERBER;
WILLIAM H. SPERBER
*
North American Millers' Association, 600 Maryland Avenue S.W., Suite 825 West, Washington, D.C. 20024-2519, USA
* Author for correspondence: Cargill Corporate Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 9300, M.S. 65, Minneapolis, MN 55440-9300, USA. Tel: 952-934-9371; Fax: 952-934-9371; E-mail: bill_sperber@cargill.com.
Search for other works by this author on:
THE NORTH AMERICAN MILLERS' ASSOCIATION MICROBIOLOGY WORKING GROUP
THE NORTH AMERICAN MILLERS' ASSOCIATION MICROBIOLOGY WORKING GROUP
Search for other works by this author on:
J Food Prot (2007) 70 (4): 1041–1053.
Article history
Received:
September 27 2006
Accepted:
November 17 2006
Citation
WILLIAM H. SPERBER, THE NORTH AMERICAN MILLERS' ASSOCIATION MICROBIOLOGY WORKING GROUP; Role of Microbiological Guidelines in the Production and Commercial Use of Milled Cereal Grains: A Practical Approach for the 21st Century. J Food Prot 1 April 2007; 70 (4): 1041–1053. doi: https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-70.4.1041
Download citation file: