Control of Listeria monocytogenes on No-Nitrate-or-Nitrite-Added (Natural or Organic) Frankfurters

The growth of Listeria monocytogenes on 8 brands of commercially available uncured, no-nitrate-or-nitrite-added frankfurters was evaluated over a 35 d sampling period. In addition, traditionally-cured controls, containing sodium nitrite, lactates and diacetates, were selected to compare typical L. monocytogenes inhibition throughout a accelerated inoculation challenge study. No-nitrate-ornitrite-added brands exhibited a decreased lag time and shorter generation time for initiation of growth, resulting in a greater population of L. monocytogenes when compared to the sodium nitrite, sodium lactate/diacetate controls. Frankfurters manufactured without the direct addition of nitrate or nitrite, are at an increased risk for L. monocytogenes.