Listeria monocytogenes was inoculated on the surface of sliced fermented sausages with no added sodium
salt. The pathogen was progressively inactivated during the product shelf life (90 days). Antimicrobial
packaging of fermented sausages with PVOH films containing nisin induced a more pronounced
reduction of L. monocytogenes counts during refrigerated storage. HPP alone (600 MPa, 5 min, 12 C) had
no antimicrobial effect against L. monocytogenes at the studied conditions. Combination of HPP with
antimicrobial packaging did not produce any extra protection against L. monocytogenes compared to
antimicrobial packaging alone. The lack of effect of HPP on L. monocytogenes was attributed to
a protective effect exerted by the low water activity of the product and its lactate content. These results
reflect that antimicrobial packaging with the inclusion of nisin as a natural antimicrobial could be
considered as an effective method to reduce the levels of L. monocytogenes in sliced fermented sausages
with no added sodium salt.