Increasing consumer demands for microwaveable, convenience foods with extended
shelf life yet retaining %loser to fresh’characteristics, has resulted in thegrowth of sous
vide or vacuum cooking processing technology. However, this new generation of
minimally processed sous vide products are not shelf stable and pose a potential public
health risk if subjected to temperature abuse at any stage of the product’s production,
storage, distribution and marketing. To ensure the microbiological safety of sous vide
products, a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach is recommended
at all stages of sous vide processing and distribution of end product. The
HACCP approach is a preventive approach to microbiological quality control and is
intended to prevent problems before they occur rather than finding them in the finished
product. Hazard Analysis identifies the microbiological hazards and potential entry
points of these hazards in the sous vide process. Critical Control Points to control the
identified microbiological hazards include quality of raw ingredients, time1
temperature relationship, sanitation and packaging control and incorporation of
additional barriers, such as pH and water activity (ad reduction, in the formulated
product. The practical application ofHACCP to ensure the microbiological safety ofa
sous vide processed meat/pasta product are given.