Question

Absence of Salmonella spp. in __ g of sweetened condensed milk is considered as a food safety criteria as per FSSAI specifications.

• A. 125
• B. 10
• C. 25
• D. 5

Hint:

Remember the "Salmonella 25 Rule." For almost all pathogens, the test is per 25 grams, while hygiene indicators like coliforms are usually per 1 gram or 0.1 gram.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen. Regulations require its complete absence in a specific quantity of food to ensure safety.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The standard analytical unit for Salmonella testing across almost all food categories, including dairy products like milk powder, cheese, and sweetened condensed milk, is 25 grams.
The FSSAI microbiological standards (Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods) specify that Salmonella must be "Absent in 25g" of the product.
Testing involves pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, and plating to detect even a single viable cell in that 25g mass.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Absence of Salmonella spp. in 25 g is the criteria.