six-layered filrn (gauge 60-75 um) with an oxygen transmission rate of 15 ml. m-2 24 h-1 at 23'c , Packs from each treatment were divided Into two groups and one group of each treatment was pasteurized by immersion of packs into a hot-water cooker held at 70'c (+-3) for 30 min and cooled in an icebath to a sausage core temperature of 4'c Sausage surfaces facing the outhide of packs reached a temperature of 65'C after 5 min of heating and, then, linearly increasedbin temperature to reach 70'c by the end of the 30 min period. Sausage surfaces at the centre of the pack. however. reached a temperature of 35'c after 5 min of pasteurization, and increased linearly to a final temperature of 65'c by the end of the 30 min period. Temperatures were measured using a Jenway 3100 Microprocessor thermocouple. Samples were then transported to the laboratory under refrigeration, and stored at 8'c for 71 days. Duplicate samples of all categories were analysed at daily intervals for the first 17 days. 2 to 3 daily intervals for the next 23 days, and weekly intervals,thereafter