This book describes biofilms in the context of hygiene in food safety and hospital facilities, starting with bacterial adhesion as an initial step of cell colonization, followed by the growth and maturation of biofilms. The main focus of this book is on biofilm prevention and control. The resistance of bacteria to several antibiotics is a global public health problem, not limited to hospital facilities, but also to other sectors, including the food industry. This raises questions about whether effective cleaning and disinfection reduce the risk of food-borne and hospital-acquired illness. Can the surface characteristics be treated to prevent bacterial adhesion and, consequently, the formation of biofilms? Biofilms are complex communities of bacteria attached the surfaces, with fully developed architecture and highly organized interactions. A better understanding of the biofilm lifecycle, with advanced strategies of physical, chemical and biological actions, would reduce the risk of infection. The question is not whether the preventive and control measures will play a significant role in public health, but rather what the implications of their use will be for hygiene in the food industry and hospital facilities.

This book highlights the importance of hygiene in the food industry with regard to biofilms, which can be found on the contact materials of various food production facilities, including bakery, brewing, seafood processing, and dairy and meat processing. Good hygiene practices in such facilities can prevent microbial niches and harbourage sites, facilitate cleaning and disinfection, maintain or increase product shelf-life, and improve food safety. This book provides essential information on the updated information on biofilm growth conditions, detection methods, and prevention and control strategies.