In conclusion, this study illustrates the complexity, options and
limitations for interventions in the sausage manufacture process to
obtain robust and acceptable levels of VTEC reductions. The
production conditions should promote growth and fermentation by
the starter culture bacteria while eliminating VTEC and other enteric
pathogens. In addition, interventions should not negatively influence
the characteristics and sensory evaluations of the sausages. The
production needs also to follow regulations with regard to e.g. NaNO2
levels. These requirements restrict the interventions possible in
industrial sausage production. However, optimization of recipe and
process of DFS production can increase VTEC reductions from
approximate 1.5 log10 obtained for Standard recipe (SR) to approximately
3 log10 obtained for High recipe (HR) sausages. If further VTEC
reductions are required, additional strategies may be needed