Samples (raw materials, semieprocessed and final products) were collected fromthree lots in each of sevenmanufacturing plants, at different stages of the manufacturing process as follows: raw materials (water, rice, and wheat flour); semieprocessed products (steamed raw material and base of fermentation); 24 and 48 h primary fermentations; 24 and 48 h secondary fermentations; the post 48 h secondary fermentation; and from the final products, sterilized and sterilized rice wine (sampling points are indicated by shading in Fig. 1). All plants produced both nonesterilized and sterilized products except plantA(plantAproducedonly sterilized products).Water samples were taken after discharging for 5 min, collected under sterile conditions, and placed in a sampling bag (WhirlePak® Bags, Nasco,Modesto, CA, US) or sterilized bottle and stored with ice packs.