Development of Staphylococcal Toxin and Sensory Deterioration During Storage of Nitrogen and Vacuum Packaged Nitrite-Free Bacon-Like Product

ABSTRACT Toxin production by S. aureus was studied in nitrite‐free bacon‐like product packaged in air permeable film, vacuum packages, and packages flushed with N2 during storage at 8°C, 12°C or 26°C. Product wrapped in air permeable film deteriorated rapidly at 26°C and was rejected by sensory evaluation prior to staphylococcal enterotoxin detection. Enterotoxin was not detected in vacuum or N2‐flushed packages stored at 26°C. Samples stored at 12°C supported S. aureus growth although enterotoxin was not detected at 12°C or 8°C in any packaging environment. The potential for staphylococcal food poisoning resulting from the production of a nitrite‐free bacon‐like product was limited under the conditions studied.