1 The structure, composition and preservation of meat.- 2 Fermented meats - a world perspective.- 3 Historical aspects of meat fermentation.- 4 Bacterial fermentation of meats.- 5 Fungal ripened meats and meat products.- 6 Starter cultures for meat fermentation.- 7 Stable and safe fermented sausages world-wide.- 8 Flavour chemistry of fermented sausages.- 9 Fungal toxins in raw and fermented meats.- 10 Fermented meat production and consumption in the European Union.