The data presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3 can be used to predict the time required at specified
temperatures to achieve a certain number of log-cycle reductions of E. coli O157:H7 when heated in
lean turkey, lamb or pork. Based on the thermal-death-time values determined in this study, contaminated
lean turkey should be heated to an internal temperature of 65 C for at least 1.45 min, lean lamb for
1.90 min and lean pork for 1.6 min; this is based on the argument that thermal treatments must be designed to
achieve a 5-D process for E. coli O157:H7. However, Juneja et al. (1997) reported that contaminated lean
ground beef should be heated to an internal temperature of 65C for at least 7.25 min and lean chicken for
2.6 min.Thus , if lean ground beef is used to validate the safety of a process for E. coli O157:H7, that process
will also be safe for lean chicken, turkey, lamb and pork. Thermal death time values from this study will
assist food processors in designing HACCP plans to effectively eliminate E. coli O157:H7 in cooked ground
meats of different meat species used in the study.