microbial risk assessment of ready to eat processed meat

Summary A total of (120) samples of RTE processed meat (twenty 20) each of (Frankfurter, hot dog, luncheon, pastirma, shawerma and smoked luncheon) were collected from different shops and grocery stores in Beni-Suef city. The collected samples were transported to the laboratory under complete aseptic conditions to be examined for aerobic mesophilic count, coliforms (MPN), fecal coliforms (MPN), Staph.aureus count, Enterococci count and isolation of E.coli, salmonella and listeria monocytogenes. The results were obtained for Frankfurter, hot dog, luncheon, pastirma, shawrma and smoked luncheon as following: - The mean value of aerobic mesophilic count were 2×106 ± 5×105, 3×106 ± 1×106,2×106 ± 6×105, 3×106 ± 2 ×106, 1×107 ± 5×106 and 3×106 ± 1×106 CFU/g, respectively. The examined samples also show mean values 5 ± 0.5, 8 ± 1, <3 ± 0, 3 ± 0.5, 11 ± 1, 4 ± 0.3 MPN /g respectively for coliforms (MPN).The fecal coliforms (MPN) were 3 ± 0.2, 4 ± .4, <3 ± 0, 3± 0.2, 6 ± 0.78, 2 ± 0.3 MPN /g, respectively. However, Staph.aureus mean values were 2×103 ± 4×102, 8×103 ± 6×103, 2×103 ± 1×102, 3×104 ± 1 ×104, 2×103 ± 3 ×102 and 2×103 ± 2 × 102 CFU/g respectively. Also the Enterococci mean values were 2 × 104 ± 4×103, 3 × 105 ± 2×104, 6 × 103 ± 4×102, 2 × 104 ± 5 ×103, 8× 103 ± 3 ×103 and 3 ×103 ± 3 × 102 CFU/g, respectively. E.coli, salmonella and listeria failed to be isolated from any of the examined samples. The public health significance of isolated microorganisms was discussed. The suggestive measures to produce wholesome ready to eat (RTE) meat products to protect the consumers were recommended.