Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes using water bath heat treatment in vacuum packed ricotta salata cheese wedges

Ricotta salata cheese is frequently contaminated on the surface with Listeria monocytogenes. Water bath
heat treatment in vacuum packed whole ricotta salata cheese wheels demonstrated to be effective in inactivating
L. monocytogenes. However, the risk of cross-contamination in ricotta salata wedges is increased during cheese cutting.
Therefore, the effectiveness of heat treatment in ricotta salata wedges has to be demonstrated conducting a new validation
study. In this study, 9 different time temperature combinations, 75, 85, and 90 °C applied for 10, 20, and 30 min each,
were tested on artificially contaminated ricotta salata cheese wedges. The extent of the lethal effect on L. monocytogenes
was assessed 1 and 30 d after the application of the hot water bath treatment. Five of 9 combinations, 75 °C for 30 min,
85 °C for 20, and 30 min, and 90°C for 20 and 30 min, demonstrated to meet the process criteria of at least 5 log
reduction. Sensory analyses were also conducted in order to account for the potential impact on sensory features of ricotta
salata wedges, which showed no significant differences between treatments.