In the present study the growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in veal tartare was evaluated. A challenge test was performed on three tartare batches at 8°C, aiming to evaluate the growth potential of the pathogen. The data indicated the absence of a significant growth (δ<0.5 log cfu/g) during the entire period. When considering intermediate sampling times, an increase of 0.56 log cfu/g was detected after five days of storage in one of the batches. Microflora of veal tartare was dominated by lactic acid bacteria, that increased gradually during the trial, reaching counts up to 7 Log CFU/g in two of the three batches considered. Spoilage bacteria were present (especially Pseudomonas spp., yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae) but in very low counts and with a limited increase during the period considered. Finally, daily maximum tolerable L. monocytogenes counts were calculated to highlight the maximum acceptable load to avoid the overcoming of the legal limit of 100 CFU/g: a total increase of 0.95 log cfu/g in 12 days of shelf-life was estimated, obtaining a "safety initial concentration" at t0 of 10 CFU/g of the pathogen.
Keywords: Growth potential; Listeria monocytogenes; Veal tartare.
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