TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the microbial profile of food contact surfaces (FCS) in foodservice industry of Serbia.Design/methodology/approach The research covered 21,485 samples collected from 1,085 foodservice establishments during a period of 43 months. Results were deployed in terms of food contact materials, types of FCS and types of foodservice establishments.Findings Highest share of results=2 log10 CFU/cm2 were present on plastic surfaces during Autumn, while on ceramic and stainless steel surfaces highest share were observed during the Summer season. Take-away food establishments had the highest share of results=2 log10 CFU/cm2 for both stainless steel and plastic surfaces. Highest share of stainless steel surfaces with microbial load=2 log10 CFU/cm2 were cutlery, dishes and knives. Plastic dishes had the highest share of results=2 log10 CFU/cm2 while cutting boards had the majority of results between 1 log10 CFU/cm2 and 2 log10 CFU/cm2.Research limitations/implications Limitations of the research stem from the discussion of the nature of the FCS like porosity and other physical characteristics.Practical implications This research has a practical application in terms of establishing process hygiene levels depending on types of food contact materials and types of FCS and seasonal variations.Originality/value The findings of this study are worthy, in respect to possible correlation between seasonal variation and process hygiene requirements and can facilitate a better understanding of microbial risks associated with food preparation.
VL  - 118
IS  - 11
SN  - 0007-070X
DO  - 10.1108/BFJ-05-2016-0190
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2016-0190
AU  - Djekic Ilija
AU  - Kuzmanovic Jelena
AU  - Andjelkovic Aleksandra
AU  - Saracevic Miroslava
AU  - Stojanovic Marija M.
AU  - Tomasevic Igor
PY  - 2016
Y1  - 2016/01/01
TI  - Microbial profile of food contact surfaces in foodservice establishments
T2  - British Food Journal
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 2666
EP  - 2675
Y2  - 2024/05/06
ER  -