Quantitative risk assessment of Campylobacter in döner kebab consumed in the west of Algeria

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis is an emerging foodborne illness which is frequently linked to the consumption of inadequately prepared poultry. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk associated with thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in chicken döner kebab and to estimate the number of campylobacteriosis cases due to its consumption in Tlemcen city (Algeria). In order to estimate the human exposure to Campylobacter from a döner kebab meal and the number of human cases associated to this exposure, a stochastic risk model was developed, covering the whole food pathway. The model details the spread and transfer of Campylobacter in döner kebab from slaughter to consumption and the relationship between ingested dose and the probability of developing campylobacteriosis. Information and data for the development of the risk model were obtained in this study and when not available they were obtained from other research. Whenever possible, the data were represented by probability distributions rather than single point estimates, as they were to be integrated in a probabilistic estimation of the risk using Monte Carlo simulation. We found that 86.2% of chicken meat samples were contaminated, 17% higher than 4.0 Log cfu/g. 37.5% of döner kebab samples were contaminated. It is estimated that 5 infections will occur for every 100 döner kebab consumptions and that one person in sixty-six can get a campylobacteriosis by eating a döner kebab meal. The QMRA approach allows for an overall scenario analysis. It was found that intervention during slaughter and at the cooking process of döner kebab is probably most efficient to reduce Campylobacter health risks. Furthermore, important data gaps could be identified.