Growth and Survival of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 in Different Types of Milk Stored at 4 °C or 20 °C

ABSTRACT: Samples of ultra heat‐treated (UHT) milk (whole, semiskimmed, and skimmed milk, whole milk with cinnamon and lemon flavors, and semiskimmed milk with cocoa) were collected. Growth of E. coli O157:H7 was detected in whole milk at 4 °C (generation time 0.89 d) and in all milks at 20 °C during the first 24 h. Growth of nonpathogenice. coli was detected in milk samples without flavors during the same period of time. The fastest death time of E. coli O157:H7 was detected in whole milk with cinnamon and lemon at 4 °C (−1.35 d) The nonpathogenic strain showed the fastest death time in skimmed milk at 20 °C.