The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour ofEscherichia coli, SalmonellaTyphimurium and
Listeria monocytogenesin an innovative semi-dry reduced fat Italian salami. The product is made from
pork meat and it is characterized by less than 20% fat, lactose-, gluten- and milk protein-free. It is
developed in Italy according to EC Regulation No. 1924/2006“on nutrition and health claims made on
foods”. Multi-strain cocktails of each pathogen were used to inoculate (5 log cfu g
1
) separately the
salami batter. During the manufacture and ripening, E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes
decreased by 2.5, 1.65 and 0.5 log cfu g
1
respectively from the initial inoculated levels. Experimental
data indicated that, during the shelf life in a condition of moderate thermal abuse (8e12
C), the
portioned and vacuum packed low fat salami are not able to support the growth ofL. monocytogenes