Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in Retailed Foods in Thailand

Abstract

The consumption of foodborne pathogens contaminated in food is one of the major causes of diarrheal diseases in Thailand. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and types of contaminating bacteria in retailed foodstuffs in Thailand. Food from four categories (137 samples total), including meat (51 samples), vegetables (38 samples), fish or seafood (37 samples), and fermented food (11 samples), was purchased randomly from seven different open-markets and seven supermarkets in Thailand from August 2010 to March 2011. Seven types of major foodborne pathogens were identified using conventional culture methods. Approximately 80% of meat samples tested was contaminated with Salmonella spp. In contrast, the Salmonella spp. contamination rate of vegetable (5%) or fermented food (9%) samples was comparatively low. Six strains of Cronobacter sakazakii and two strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were also isolated. A substantially higher rate of contamination by Bacillus cereus was observed in fermented food (82%) than in samples of meat (2%) and fish or seafood (5%). Seven Listeria spp. isolates were obtained from meat and fish or seafood samples. Approximately 39% of samples tested were found to be contaminated with Staphylococcus spp. (54 isolates). The rate of bacterial contamination of meat did not depend on the type of market. However, the contamination rate of Staphylococcus spp. in vegetables was higher in open markets than in supermarkets, and the contamination rate of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus spp. in fish or seafood samples purchased in open markets was likewise higher than in those purchased in supermarkets. Therefore, improvement of hygienic practices throughout the food chain may be required to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

Genetic diversity, virulotyping and antimicrobial resistance susceptibility of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from pigs and porcine products in Malaysia

“…Although reports on the incidence of yersinosis are scanty in Southeast Asia, the etiologic agent has been isolated from foods and food animals, suggesting a risk of yersiniosis to humans in this region. Yersinia enterocolitica was found in beef, shrimp and tofu from Thailand . In Malaysia, the pathogen had been isolated from raw pork, swine liver, swine intestine and pigs …”

Monitoring of selected parasites and other foodborne microorganisms in vegetable products at point of sale

“…Genes for production of classical enterotoxins (sea-see) were not confirmed. This result shows a lower prevalence of S. aureus than revealed in Thailand and China [23,24]. Ananchaipattana et al [23] revealed S. aureus in 67% of leafy vegetable samples from open markets and 25% from supermarkets in Thailand.…”

“…This result shows a lower prevalence of S. aureus than revealed in Thailand and China [23,24]. Ananchaipattana et al [23] revealed S. aureus in 67% of leafy vegetable samples from open markets and 25% from supermarkets in Thailand. Xing et al [24] detected S. aureus in 27.6% salad vegetable samples.…”

Validation of a high-throughput immunobead array technique for multiplex detection of three foodborne pathogens in chicken products

“…and Listeria spp. contamination in food products collected from open-air markets and supermarkets were reported (Ananchaipattana et al, 2012). In that study, 41 of 137 meat samples were found to be contaminated with Salmonella spp., while 7 of 88 meat and seafood samples were found to be contaminated with Listeria spp..…”