indicating that
the efficiency of these procedures must be improved. The isolates
recovered prior to processing were collected in two different processing
plants and demonstrated two different STs: ST155 (plant H)
and ST1 (plant Q). Moreover, both STs were also recovered from the
RTE meat products elaborated in those plants; therefore, these
strains were able to overcome the different hurdles of meat product
processing and were well adapted to the environmental conditions
of the plants. The ability to form biofilms could contribute to strain
adaptation, persistence and resistance to sanitisers
Biofilm formation is
more likely to occur in sites within the manufacturing environment
that are difficult to reach and clean and that accumulate water and
food residue for long time periods