The environmental influences on the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meat stored in fridges

Objective To investigate the environmental influences on the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meats on fridges. Methods The environmental health status was determined by reliable and valid researcher-made checklist. Then 264 samples were gathered in two phases (at the entrance and three months later) and examined for total bacteria count, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. Results The result revealed that the mean of total bacteria count, E. coli and S. aureus densities had significant differences in two steps on chicken and the red meat samples (P < 0.05). Among the environmental factors, sanitary status, temperature and personal hygiene had significant effects on total bacteria count and S. aureus densities in chicken samples (P < 0.05), and between wastewater and solid waste disposal with E. coli density in red meat samples (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results implied that the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meat fluctuates with environmental status (especially temperature, sanitary status and personal hygiene). Regular control, improving of sanitary health, and staff training are necessary for elimination of bacterial contamination.

Microbial quality of cooked meat foods in Tehran University's restaurants

Evaluation of microbial load of cooked meat in university restaurants. Two hundred sixteen samples from four types of consumed foods in six clinical and educational centres were assessed for bacterial contamination by standard methods. There was no contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Mean of total bacterial and coliform counts in grilled ground meat samples were 1.14 x 10[5] CFU/g and 1.98 x 10[2] CFU/g respectively. Twenty one [38.9%] out of 54 examined samples of grilled ground meat had E. coli contamination and S. aureus were found in 30 [55.6%] samples. Mean quantity of total bacterial contamination were 2.85 x 10[2] CFU /g for fish samples and there was no presence with coliforms or other pathogenic bacteria in this food. Some foods [especially grilled ground meat] had contamination loads which were higher than accepted standards. Omitting grilled ground meat from food schedule, especially in warm seasons, may reduce the hazard of food poisoning