Harmful Bacteria Can Survive A Long Time In Packaged Cracker Sandwiches

Recent outbreaks of foodborne diseases in packaged dry foods like cookies and crackers prompted a U.S. study that shed some light on the activities of pathogens like salmonella. The researchers put salmonella bacteria into four types of fillings – cheese and peanut butter, or chocolate and vanilla – found in dry cookies or crackers sold in vending machines and stores, then placed them into storage. Salmonella didn't survive as well in the cracker sandwiches as in the cookie sandwiches, the researchers found, but in some cases was able to survive for an unexpected six months. The next step is to identify the specific filling ingredients that are harboring the pathogens.