Potential for Growth of Nonproteolytic Types of Clostridium botulinum in Pasteurized Restructured Meat Products: A Review 1.

Type E and nonproteolytic type B strains of Clostridium botulinum can grow and produce toxin at temperatures below 5°C. Recent publications describing the greater heat resistance of nonproteolytic type B C. botulinum spores than type E spores are discussed in relation to suitable proess lethalities required for a safe pasteurized product. The incidences of botulism in Europe caused by nonproteolytic type B spores were compared to the lack of such incidences in the U.S. and to published procedures for isolating the causative agent for botulism. The incidence of C. botulinum spores in meat products in the U.S. also is reviewed.