Microbiological quality and safety: A general overview

Monitoring and safeguarding microbiological quality and safety of drinks and foods is essential for health. Good manufacturing practices should be practiced during the whole production process, from raw materials to the end product, as well as in every phase between them. Microbial contamination can readily take place on every occasion where the process is disturbed for some reason. Efficient monitoring of the quality of the foodstuff at different steps of the process is important to avoid foodborne infections and even epidemics that may cause morbidity and mortality in large numbers of consumers within a short period of time.