AAB were not detected in the steamed raw materials: however, they were detected in the remaining fermentation stages (stage 5-10, mean 1.2-2.8 log CFU/ml). Coliforms were not detected in any semi-processed material. B. cereus was not detected in the steamed raw materials, although it was subsequently recovered from the base of fermentation (mean 0.7 log CFU/ml).This low level was maintained until the end of fermentation (0.4 log CFU/ml). B cereus was detected in the semi-processed products at plants A, C, D and G.
fermentation stages 6-10.