Three levels of SPC are listed in Table 1 based on food type and the processing/handling the
food has undergone.
Level 1 applies to ready-to-eat foods in which all components of the food have been cooked
in the manufacturing process/preparation of the final food product and, as such, microbial
counts should be low.
Level 2 applies to ready-to-eat foods which contain some components that have been
cooked and then further handled (stored, sliced or mixed) prior to preparation of the final
food or where no cooking process has been used.
Level 3 - SPCs not applicable. This applies to foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables
(including salad vegetables), fermented foods and foods incorporating these (such as
sandwiches and filled rolls). It would be expected that these foods would have an inherent
high plate count because of the normal microbial flora present.