Control of escherichia coli 0157:H7 in beefburgers

Abstract

The inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 by heating, freezing, pulsed electric field, sodium lactate, lactic acid and citric acid, alone or in combination was investigated. The industrial process for beefburger manufacture did not significantly reduce E.coli O157:H7 numbers regardless of the burger recipe and method of tempering used. Fast freezing of the burgers (to -18°C in 30 minutes as opposed to 36 hours), pulsed electric field, sodium lactate, lactic acid and citric acid, individually and in combination, did not significantly reduce E. coli O157:H7 numbers when applied at different stages throughout the beef burger manufacturing process. Beefburger safety is therefore reliant on proper storage, handling and thermal processing in the domestic or catering kitchen. The lethal effect of thermal processing may be enhanced by the addition of sodium lactate to the burger during mixing. These results are presented and discussed.