The efficacy of six sanitizers, [chloline (200 ppm), iodophor (2S: ppm), acid anionic (200 ppm), peracetic acid (200 ppm), and fatty acid sanitizer (200 ppm)], was evaluated against bacteria attached to gasket materials. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocvtogenes were capable of significant attachment to both buna-N nlbber and Teflon® gasket surfaces in either pure or mixed cultures. Differences in initial attachment rates were evident in a mixed culture of P. fluorescens, Y. enterocolitica, and Listeria monocytogenes in vitro. Sanitizer effectiveness depended upon the bacterium being enumerated, the type of surface, if the bacterium was attached in pure culture or as part of a mixed culture, and the system of evaluation, (i.e. whether or not sanitizer was used alone or as part of a cleaning system). Peracetic acid was the most effective. Removal of bacteria was more pronounced on the Te'f1on® surface with all sanitizers used. The cleaning system, which consisted of a pre-rinse with warm water, application of the cleaning solution, post-rinse with warm water, and application of the sanitizing solution, allowed microorganisms to remain, when the bacteria were present as a pure culture, but resulted in the complete removal of bacteria in mixed culture. / Ph. D.