Rapid detection and characterization of postpasteurization contaminants in pasteurized fluid milk.

Microbial spoilage of pasteurized fluid milk is typically due to either (1) postpasteurization contamination (PPC) with psychrotolerant gram-negative bacteria (predominantly Pseudomonas) or (2) growth of psychrotolerant sporeformers (e.g., Paenibacillus) that have the ability to survive pasteurization when present as spores in raw milk, and to subsequently grow at refrigeration temperatures.