Conclusion
Materials quality, thermal processing and two
growth hurdles (low temperature storage and chemical
inhibition by sorbic acid)) combine to make the potato
product very safe with respect to non-proteolytic C.
botulinum hazards. Covering flour is the dominant
source of non-proteolytic C. botulinum spore con-
tamination. Product pH, which determines the amount
of undissociated sorbic acid, is the variable that causes
most sensitivity in end point safety measures.