Microbial control in foods - needs and concerns; thermal control of micro-organisms; microbial control with cold temperature; microbial control by irradiation; microwave control of pathogens; control of micro-organisms by chemicals; microbial control by packaging; control of foodborne micro-organisms with carbon dioxide under elevated pressure; control of microbial growth by low pressure and ambient pressure gases; control with naturally occurring antimicrobial systems including bacteriolytic enzymes; perspectives for application of bacteriocins as food preservatives; formulating low-acid foods for botulinal safety; reduction of microbial contaminants on carcases; control by high-intensity pulsed electric fields; magnetic fields as a potential nonthermal technology for the control of micro-organisms; microbial control by high pressure; ohmic heating; modelling acid control of foodborne micro-organisms; management of microbial control in HACCP systems; hurdle technology; overview - summary and future prospects.