Microbiological Criteria for Food in Military and Federal Specifications

Abstract

Microbiological criteria in military and federal food specifications are presented. Approximately 10% of more than 600 specifications for food contain microbiological requirements which are applied in procurement of food for military and federal agencies. Foods were grouped into four categories which include dehydrated foods, milk and milk products, miscellaneous dairy products, and frozen foods. Microbiological requirements vary with the food item and include criteria for the aerobic plate count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, salmonellae, yeast and mold, proteolytic bacteria, lipolytic bacteria, psychrotrophs and direct microscopic count. Specifications may be obtained by writing to the U.S. Naval Publications and Forms Center, NPFC Code 1032, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130.