Retail Case-Life and Microbial Quality of Pre-Marinated, Vacuum Packaged Beef and Chicken Fajitas

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Abstract
Thirty packages (454 g) each of beef and chicken pre-marinated vacuum packaged fajitas were obtained from a commercial meat purveyor and placed in a retail case for 16 d. At days 1, 5, 9, 12 and 16, aerobic plate counts (APCs) and microbial types of three randomly selected samples of each product were determined. Samples were also evaluated for surface discoloration, overall appearance, immediate and cooked off-odor and off-flavor. As storage progressed, the pH of products declined, APCs increased and Lactobacillus spp. Became dominant in the microflora. Some packaged fajitas, especially chicken, exhibited gas formation in random packages throughout the storage periods. Products became “unacceptable” between 12 and 16 d of retail storage.