Sym’Previus is a collection of tools for food safety inspections designed for food sector businesses to help: Strengthen HACCP plans, Develop new products, Better understand and quantify microbial behaviour, Determine shelf lives and improve food safety. Sym'Previus is intended for quality managers or R & D managers. It reduces the implementation lead time and the number of experimental tests. It provides arguments using the most recent predictive microbiological models. Sym’Previus expert centres offer training in its use.

1. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
Sym’Previus :
Prediction of microbial behavior
during the food processes
Noémie Desriac
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

2. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
2symprevius@adria.tm.fr
Not ONLY a tool,
but as well a network!
UNIR

3. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
3
Not ONLY a tool,
but as well a network!
Supported by the French food safety authorities

4. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
symprevius@adria.tm.fr 4
1.Food process
C
12
8
4
3.Food storage2.Transport &
delivery
Estimate the risk for
various scenarii
during food shelf-
life?
Developed with food providers,
for food providers
what is the impact of
adding a natural
preservative such as
lactic acid?
Determine the
impact of abuse
temperature
condition?

5. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
5
Sym’Previus
toolbox
HACCP
assistance
Probabilistic
module
Thermal destruction
simulation
Bacterial survival
simulation
B. cereus group
affiliation (I-VII)
Database
Growth
interfaces
Growth
simulation
Growth curve
fitting
The Sym’Previus
tools
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

6. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
6
Sym’Previus
toolbox
HACCP
assistance
Probabilistic
module
Thermal destruction
simulation
Bacterial survival
simulation
B. cereus group
affiliation (I-VII)
Database
Growth
interfaces
Growth
simulation
Growth curve
fitting
The Sym’Previus
tools
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

7. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
7
Pathogen
microorganisms
Spoilage
microorganisms
9 species:
Spore-formers/non Spore-formers
13 species:
Spore-formers/non Spore-formers
Sym’Previus
toolbox
Biodiversity
A wonderful world or… a brain teaser?!

8. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
8
Sym’Previus
toolbox
…with wild strains coming from food production
units … and your own data-base
Pathogenic
microorganisms
Spoilage
microorganisms
9 species:
Spore-formers/non Spore-formers
13 species:
Spore-formers/non Spore-formers
- Microbial diversity (up to 13 strains)
- Isolated from food product/ production environment
-Standardized protocols (ring trials)
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

9. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
9
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
 Critical steps
(critical control point CCP)?
 Microbial hazards of concerns ?
pH=5.2
aw=0.99
Thawing
10h/8 C
Preparation
2h/25 C
Cooking
2h/90 C
Cooling
Until 2 C in 2h
Storage
1/3 at 4 C and
2/3 at 8 C
Packaging
1h 4 C
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

10. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
10
HACCP assistance
Input/ouput
Minimum inputs
Microorganisms
(Sym’Previus possibilities)
Food properties
(pH, aw)
Food processes
(T, t, thawing, storage…)
Impact of each process
step on microorganism
behavior
(growth/inactivation)
The hazards of concerns
at each process step
symprevius@adria.tm.fr
for wide range of outputs !

11. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
11
HACCP assistance :
Sym’Previus application
Practical case

12. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
12
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
HACCP assistance :

13. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
13
What is the growth probability of L. moncytogenes in that
specific food product?
How to limit the growth of L. monocytogenes,
for instance what is the impact of adding a
natural preservative such as lactic acid
(0.6g/100g)?
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
Critical steps = heat treatment
distribution/storage step
L. monocytogenes = Of major concern during the
shelf-life!
Got it!

14. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
14
Growth interfaces
Input/output
Microorganisms
(Sym’Previus strains
and related data,
OR your own strains
and data)
Food properties
(pH, aw)
Food storage
(T, lactate)
Growth-no growth
interfaces
symprevius@adria.tm.fr
Minimum inputs for wide range of outputs !

15. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
15
Growth interfaces :
pH 5.2
aw=0.99
T=8 C
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

16. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
16
pH 5.2
aw=0.99
T=8 C
+Lactate
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
symprevius@adria.tm.fr
Growth interfaces :
+
lactate

17. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
17
 And now, what about the shelf-life?
“Hum, the marketing would like OF COURSE to
extend that shelf-life, is that realistic?”
 What is the risk based regulation criteria?
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
The probability of L. monocytogenes growth in
that specific food product exceeds 90% 
Adding the appropriate concentration of lactic
acid inhibits L. moncytogenes growth 
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

18. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
18
Probabilistic module
Input/output
Microorganisms
(Sym’Previus strains
and related data,
OR your own strains
and data)
Food/microorganism
(challenge test,
auto control data)
Food storage
(T, pH profiles…)
Contamination evolution
Factor effect
Growth simulation
Sensitivity analysis
symprevius@adria.tm.fr
Minimum inputs for wide range of outputs !

19. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
19
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
Auto control
data
Use your own data for a
tailor-made approach!
Microbial hazard
prevalence
Challenge test
data
Food matrix
Food product
weight
Dynamic
factors
Realistic
conditions of
storage
Sales unit
contamination
probability
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

20. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
20
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
Auto control
data
Microbial hazard
prevalence
Challenge test
data
Food matrix
Food product
weight
Dynamic
factors
Realistic
conditions of
storage
Sales unit
contamination
probability
6/247
(25g)
200 g 2
Use your own data for a
tailor-made approach!
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

21. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
a probability
of 3 %
21
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
Auto control data 6/247 31% of contaminated sales unit!
9.6%
of contaminated product
will exceed
the criteria of 2 log
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

22. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
22
Sym’Previus application
Practical case
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

23. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
23
The added values
symprevius@adria.tm.fr

24. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
24
Sym’Previus a constantly
evolving tool…
Risk-Benefit based
probabilistic assessment
Poster presentation 83
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
7.5
NG
NG
NG
NG
NG
NG
G
G
G
G
G
G G G G G G G NG
G
G
G
G
NG
Temperature
pH
Mycotoxin production and Yeast interface growth / no growth
Mycotoxin
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Growth boundaries and
mycotoxin production area
Poster presentation 90

25. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
25
Sym’Previus a constantly
Evolving tool…
ICPMF8 - Paris 2013 -
See you at the friendly
software-demonstration to
try Sym’Previus online

26. A decision making tool
to predict microbial behavior
during the food processes
…and enjoy your stay in Paris!
Feel free to contact our network of experts or symprevius@adria.tm.fr