Prepackaged herring was stored under simulated selling conditions for up to 5 days: by day (from 9 to 21 h) at 0°, 4° and 8°C and by night at 0°C. Samples withdrawn every day were analysed by sensory, chemical and bacteriological quality determination methods. Gram-negative bacteria were indentified according to the Shewan scheme. The results indicated that the herring had a shelf life of > 5 days at 0°C, 5 days at 4°-2°C and 4 days at 8°C- 0°C. The results indicated that the herring had a total-shelf life of > 5 days revealed by the counts of total aerobic bacteria and by the Enterobacteriaceae. At the end of the storage period the Pseudomonas and the Acinetobacter group represented {approx} 80% of total flora. Furthermore the results showed that Pseudomonas spoilers have a more psychrophilic character than the Acinetobacter group
