The sampling plan for the 2011 national microbiological surveillance programme is outlined in Table 1. The topics were agreed following consultation with Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and the Official Food Microbiology Laboratories (OFMLs).
Table 1: Sampling plan for the 2011 national microbiological surveillance programme
| Topic | Period | Microbiological parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiological safety of raw minced beef and beef burgers on retail sale in Ireland |
April-July |
Salmonella spp. and vertoxigenic E.coli (VTEC) |
|
June-August |
Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. |