Contamination and Critical Control Points (CCPs) along the processing line of sale of frozen poultry foods in retail outlets of a typical market in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Over the years, there have been considerable increases in the consumption of frozen poultry foods across Nigeria. Little attention has been paid to the microbial quality of these foods and hence constitutes a threat to public health. The contamination levels (Enterobacteriaceae and Listeria counts) and the presence of pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria along the processing line of sale of frozen poultry foods were assayed in retail outlets. Methodology and results: Bacteriological counts and bacterial isolation were carried out using standard plate methods, while the direct slide agglutination technique was utilized for serology. Bacteriological assay revealed extremely high counts (Listeria count (LC): 7.784±1.109 - 9.586±0.016 log cfu/cm 2 ; Enterobacteriaceae count (EC): 7.151±0.213 9.318±0.161 log cfu/cm 2 ), higher than stipulated by International Food Standard Agencies. The highest count for EC (9.318±0.161 log cfu/cm 2 ) and LC 9.586±0.016 log cfu/cm 2 ) was from the weighing scale and processing table. Averagely, LC (8.598±0.733 log cfu/cm 2 ) was higher than EC (8.145±0.936 log cfu/cm 2 ). Weighing scale had counts significantly different (p < 0.05) from all others for EC. But there were no significant differences in LC. Weighing scale and meat tables were critical control points (CCPs) in the processing line for sale of frozen poultry meats in the retail outlets. E. coli spp., E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were isolated along the processing line. Conclusion, significance and impact of the study: Results of this study indicated that poultry meat are easily contaminated along the processing line of sale and may act as a potential risk to public health if counteractive measures are not applied to reduce microbial contamination during storage, sale and distribution to consumers.