This study examined the survival of a two strain mixture of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium in peanut
butter flavored candy fondant during ingredient mixing and after storage up to 7 weeks. The sample was
further tested for the presence or absence of Salmonella after six and twelve months of storage. Fondant
ingredients mixed with inoculated peanut butter at a starting temperature of 70 C led to 2.2 and
2.9 log cfu reduction in level of surviving Salmonella after 10 and 20 min of mixing respectively. A lower
mixing temperature (65 C) resulted in 1.2 log cfu reduction at both 10 and 20 min. Flavored fondant
from both mixing temperatures were then stored at room temperature. During storage for up to 7 weeks,
there was reduction in the level of surviving salmonellae by an average of 0.58 log cfu/week. The
combination of heated mixing and storage for 5 weeks resulted in a 5-log reduction in the colony counts
of salmonellae. In comparison, the average reduction of the inoculum in peanut butter was 0.45 log cfu
per week totaling 3.16 log cfu after 7 weeks of storage. This study suggests that common candy industry
mixing temperatures will not lead to a significant lethality of Salmonella in this product. Although the
heated mixing followed by storage of flavored fondant for five weeks at room temperature provided a 5-
log reduction in Salmonella survival, there was a presence of Salmonella in samples for up to twelve
months of room temperature storage. Therefore, the need for good sanitation practices exists.