scholarly journals Microbiological Quality of Ready-To-Eat Products and Potential Risks for Consumers in Latvia / Ēšanai Gatavu Produktu Mikrobioloģiskā Kvalitāte Un Iespējamais Risks Patērētājiem Latvijā

Author(s):  
Elīna Ciekure ◽  
Inese Siksna ◽  
Olga Valciņa ◽  
Ludmila Vīksna ◽  
Angelika Krūmiņa

Abstract Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are challenging for food business operators as they need to remain qualitative and safe for consumers. However, consumers tend to choose them more and more often because of fast and easy handling. The highest risk from RTE foods is microbiological contamination, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, elderly, and pregnant women. The aim of the research was to assess the microbiological quality of RTE meat and fish products to highlight possible risks for consumers. A total of 15 984 analyses performed on RTE meat and fish products were included in this study. It was found that RTE meat and fish product samples representative of the market in Latvia in the period 2012-2015 had high microbiological quality and only in rare cases was contamination with hygiene indicatororganisms (coliforms and Escherichia coli) and pathogens (Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and sulphite-reducing clostridia) detected. However, it is important to pay attention to customer habits of cooking and preparing RTE foods as well - thermal processing for products intended to be used cooked, use before expiration date and adequate storage rules for products, as these have important regarding microbiological risks for health.

2020 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 06012
Author(s):  
Vera Demchenko ◽  
Irina Asfondiarova ◽  
Nina Katkova ◽  
Marina Ivanova ◽  
Elena Belokurova

The priority in improving the existing methods of processing fish is salting with the use of food additives with different functional orientations. The aim of the study was the development of preserves with the introduction of lactate-containing additives and using sonochemical technologies; examination of the quality of the products obtained according to organoleptic and microbiological safety indicators. The article proposes a resource-saving technology for the production of fish products with prolonged shelf life due to the use of a complex food additive consisting of lactic, acetic, propionic acids and their salts in different proportions with subsequent ultrasonic treatment using the ultrasonic generator of the Wave series model UZTA-0 2/22-OM. There was established the optimal mode of using the ultrasonic processing power of 75 W / m2 in the manufacture of fish preserves from herring. Organoleptic and microbiological quality indicators were studied during storage of preserved products with the addition of additives and ultrasonic treatment compared to the control. Organoleptic assessment was carried out on a five-point scale, microbiological indicators were studied by standard methods. The Dilactin Forte Plus dietary supplement in the composition of preserves in the amount of 3% and in combination with the use of sonochemical technologies makes it possible to obtain a safe high-quality fish product. Manufactured preserves at a storage temperature of 0 ± 2 ° C can maintain their high quality for 5 months.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslava R. Atanassova ◽  
Maria-José Chapela ◽  
Alejandro Garrido-Maestu ◽  
Paula Fajardo ◽  
Martiña Ferreira ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 99 (9) ◽  
pp. 7724
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Koushki ◽  
Paliz Koohy-Kamaly ◽  
Mohammad Azizkhani ◽  
Noushin Hadinia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayawatee Goburdhun ◽  
Mahima D. Beeharry ◽  
Keshnee Reega ◽  
Arvind Ruggoo ◽  
Hudaa Neetoo

This study was carried out to assess the microbiological status of three hot meals served in eight selected school canteens of Mauritius, with two schools randomly selected from each of the four school zones of the island. Three individual samples of farata, panini, or fried noodles were collected at each school during two independent visits. The three individual samples of each food type collected during each visit were then pooled before being subjected to microbiological analyses. A total of 48 composite samples were analyzed. The parameters tested were Total Viable Count (TVC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria spp. The microbiological analyses revealed that paninis were deemed as generally acceptable with TVC falling in the range of 3.0-5.7 Log CFU/g and undetectable levels of S. aureus and E. coli. In contrast, fried noodles and faratas harboured a moderately high level of TVC (4.4-6.7 Log CFU/g) and objectionably high levels S. aureus (3.1 to 5.0 Log CFU/g) and E. coli (3.1-5.1 Log CFU/g) for seven out of the eight schools.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Engel Pandey ◽  
Jenki Pongoh

A low level of sanitation and hygiene applied by smoked fish processors in North Sulawesi can affect the quality and safety of the product itself. Interestingly, there is a huge market demand of smoked fish product in North Sulawesi. That is why  it is necessary to improve quality of smoked fish product by assisting the smoked fish processors. The program's target partners are located in Pontoh Village, Wori District, North Minahasa Regency which is geographically located on the coast Pontoh Village is categorized as a fishing community, which is about 50% classified as poor families and has a small business group of processing smoked fish. The aim of this program is to increase production, marketing and finance for small entrepreneurs in Pontoh Village, Wori District, North Minahasa Regency so they can be skilled and economically independent. The specific target of this activity is to produce smoked fish products that are superior in terms of taste and shelf life while providing business continuity and strong management. The method of implementation that will be applied to this program are 1) Training on how to produced smoked-fish product using good manufacturing practices  2) Assiting about sanitation and hygiene in every step of producing smoked fish; 3) Advising on management


Author(s):  
Nesrin Kaval ◽  
Nilgün Öncül ◽  
Zeliha Yıldırım

In this study, the microbiological quality of traditionally produced Bez Sucuk in Tokat and its vicinity was investigated. For this purpose, 30 Bez Sucuk samples obtained from butchers, producers of Bez Sucuk, were analyzed for total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts-moulds, total coliform, fecal coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Cl. perfringens. Also, the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were investigated in all samples. pH and water activity of the samples were determined. As the result of the analysis, the counts of the microbiological parameters investigated were found as follows: total mesophilic aerobic bacteria 3.5×106-4.23×109 CFU/g, lactic acid bacteria 5.55×105-2.45×109 CFU/g, yeasts and moulds 2.50×103-6.90×109 CFU/g, total coliform


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Lethycia Wolupeck ◽  
Helen Caroline Raksa ◽  
Luciane Silvia Rossa ◽  
Raquel Biasi ◽  
Renata Ernlund Freitas de Macedo

O queijo Minas frescal é um dos mais populares do Brasil, porém o alto teor de umidade associado ao métodode processamento, muitas vezes artesanal, e de armazenamento desse produto o tornam muito perecível.Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar a qualidade microbiológica de queijo Minas frescalcomercializado na cidade de Curitiba (PR) nos anos de 1999 e 2009, verificando a evolução na qualidadehigiênico-sanitária desse produto no período de 10 anos. Foram analisadas 11 marcas comerciais de queijo Minas frescal disponíveis no comércio varejista da cidade de Curitiba, sendo amostradas cinco unidades de cada marca, totalizando 55 amostras. Os queijos foram submetidos à pesquisa de Salmonella spp., contagem de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli, contagem de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e contagem de aeróbios mesófilos, com resultados expressos em UFC/g. Das 55 amostras de queijo, 41,82% e 78,18% apresentaram contagem de E. coli e de coliformes totais acima do limite permitido, respectivamente. Somente uma amostra (1,82%) do total avaliado mostrou-se em desacordo com os padrões para S. coagulase positiva e uma para Salmonella spp. Ambas as amostras foram adquiridas em 2009. Todas as amostras avaliadas em 2009 apresentaram elevada contagem de aeróbios mesófilos, revelando alta carga microbiana. Comparativamente, os queijos avaliados em 1999 mostraram qualidade microbiológica superior aos queijos avaliados em 2009 (p < 0,05). Destes, 100% apresentaram no mínimo um parâmetro microbiológico em desacordo com a legislação vigente, indicando que a qualidade dos queijos Minas frescal avaliados em 2009 apresentou-se inferior a dos queijos avaliados em 1999.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 918-925
Author(s):  
María Cevallos-Almeida ◽  
Ana Burgos-Mayorga ◽  
Carlos A. Gómez ◽  
José Luis Lema-Hurtado ◽  
Leydi Lema ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Pre-slaughter management and slaughter operations are considered critical factors for animal welfare and meat quality. Previous studies have found poor animal welfare management at municipal slaughterhouses in Ecuador, and little is known about how this affects the microbiological quality of the meat. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the association of the microbiological quality of beef carcasses and animal welfare indicators in a municipal slaughterhouse in Ecuador. Materials and Methods: Data for 6 months were collected from a municipal slaughterhouse in Ecuador. Five trained researchers were strategically located along the slaughter process. A total of 351 animals were observed with regard to welfare indicators, and their carcasses were sampled to evaluate microbiological quality. Antemortem (slipping, falling, and vocalization) and postmortem animal welfare indicators (bleed interval, pH, temperature, and bruises) were measured. To determine the total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and Escherichia coli counts and the presence of Salmonella spp., we collected samples by swabbing four different points of each carcass. The association between microbiological quality and animal welfare indicators was studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results: The mean TAB count was 5.3 log CFU/cm2, and the mean total count of E. coli was 2.4 log CFU/cm2. Salmonella spp. were isolated in 3.1% of the carcasses. An electric goad was used in all animals, 19.1% slipped at least once, and 19.9% vocalized. The mean pH of the carcasses was 7.2, and 79.2% of carcasses had bruises. Multivariate analysis showed that Salmonella spp. and the TAB count were associated with pH and the number of bruises (p = 0.01 in both cases). Conclusion: Although there was non-significant association between the majority of animal welfare indicators and microbiological quality, the poor management affecting animal welfare and carcass hygiene are worrisome.


1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. LITTLE ◽  
D. ROBERTS ◽  
E. YOUNGS ◽  
J. de LOUVOIS

A study of imported unprepared whole lettuces sampled from supermarkets, greengrocers, shops, and market stalls found that all were of acceptable microbiological quality. Twenty-seven out of 151 (18%) imported lettuce samples had Enterobacteriaceae levels of 104 CFU/g or more. However, these bacteria that constitute part of the natural microflora of unprepared vegetables may also be derived from the soil and/or by poor handling. The pathogens, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Vibrio cholerae, Listeria monocytogenes, and also Escherichia coli, an indicator of fecal contamination, were not detected in any imported lettuces, indicating that hygiene, harvesting, and production practices were good. Imported lettuces with Enterobacteriaceae levels of 104 CFU/g or more varied with type of retail premises and the temperature at which the lettuces were displayed. Samples from greengrocers, shops, and market stalls were more likely to contain Enterobacteriaceae at levels in excess of 104 CFU/g than those from supermarkets.


2020 ◽  
Vol 367 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle da Silva Luz ◽  
Luiza Vasconcellos ◽  
Valéria de Mello Medeiros ◽  
Catia Aparecida Chaia Miranda ◽  
Carla de Oliveira Rosas ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of natural mineral waters commercialized in 20 L returnable packs in Brazil by investigating the presence of bacteria and viruses in packs with different manufacturing times (Tm). With this purpose, 99 water samples from 33 lots (n = 3/batch) of 15 brands, obtained from packs with three intervals of Tm, were analyzed. Total coliforms (16.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.9%), sulphite-reducing Clostridium (5.0%) and Escherichia coli (2.0%) were detected but enterococci and norovirus GII not. Regarding brands, 11 (73.3%) presented unsatisfactory results for at least one of the lots analyzed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa analysis revealed six sequence types and strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested and were able to produce biofilms. Human adenovirus (4) and norovirus GI (9) were also identified in nine samples randomly selected. Natural mineral waters commercialized in 20 L packs with Tm ≥ 2 years presented more microbiological contamination (P ≤ 0.012) than ones with a Tm of 0–1 year or a Tm of 1–2 years. These results suggest that the validity period of reusable 20 L packs should be reduced or that they can no longer be reused.


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