Short-wave ultraviolet light (UVC, 254 nm) can reduce dramatically the microbial load in air or on hard surfaces free from food residues, and can eliminate pathogens from potable water ®ltered to remove organic residues and`clumps' of bacteria. More recently, approval of the Food and Drug Administration (USA) has been sought for a system for the destruction of pathogenic bacteria in fruit juices using UVC, and the same approach could perhaps be applied to remove spoilage organisms from cider or wines. In contrast, long-wave UV light (UVA, b320 nm) has limited microbiocidal properties, and for practical applications its effectiveness has to be enhanced by the presence of photosensitive compounds (eg furocoumarins) that will diffuse into a microbial cell prior to irradiation. The penetration of UVA into water is better than that of UVC, and its bacteriocidal action in the presence of photosensitisers can be rapid. However, pure furocoumarins are expensive and their addition to foodstuffs might be questioned on safety grounds.

Foodborne pathogens are causing a great number of diseases with significant effects on human health and economy. The characteristics of the most common pathogenic bacteria ( Bacillus cereus , Campylobacter jejuni , Clostridium botulinum , Clostridium perfringens , Cronobacter sakazakii , Esherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococccus aureus , Vibrio spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica ), viruses (Hepatitis A and Noroviruses) and parasites ( Cyclospora cayetanensis , Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spiralis ), together with some important outbreaks, are reviewed. Food safety management systems based on to classical hazard-based approach has been proved to be inefficient, and risk-based food safety approach is now suggested from leading researchers and organizations. In this context, a food safety management system should be designed in a way to estimate the risks to human health from food consumption and to identify, select and implement mitigation strategies in order to control and reduce these risks. In addition, the application of suitable food safety education programs for all involved people in the production and consumption of foods is suggested.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are members of an heterogenous group of bacteria which plays a significant role in a variety of fermentation processes. The general description of the bacteria included in the group is gram-positive, non-sporing, non-respiring cocci or rods. An overview of the genetics of lactococci, Streptococcus thermophilus , lactobacilli, pediococci, leuconostocs, enterococci and oenococciis presented with special reference to their metabolic traits. The three main pathways in which LAB are involved in the manufacture of fermented foods and the development of their flavour, are (a) glycolysis (fermentation of sugars), (b) lipolysis (degradation of fat) and (c) proteolysis (degradation of proteins). Although the major metabolic action is the production of lactic acid from the fermentation of carbohydrates, that is, the acidification of the food, LAB are involved in the production of many beneficial compounds such as organic acids, polyols, exopolysaccharides and antimicrobial compounds, and thus have a great number of applications in the food industry (i.e. starter cultures). With the advances in the genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and biochemistry and the reveal and publication of the complete genome sequence of a great number of LAB, new insights and applications for these bacteria have appeared and a variety of commercial starter, functional, bio-protective and probiotic cultures with desirable properties have marketed.

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White‐brined cheeses are widely produced in the North‐east Mediterranean area and the Balkans. Traditionally, they were manufactured as artisanal cheeses, and nowadays they are manufactured on an industrial scale, and rigorous control of the production and maturation processes is essential. Aspects of the microbiology of white‐brined cheeses and their significance with respect to the quality and safety of the final products are discussed in this review.