ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Food safety concerns remain a challenge across nations and among citizens. Microbial contamination of foods and antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat to food security. The present study assessed microbial quality of "Tuo-Zaafi" sold in the Tamale metropolis as well as antibiotic resistance of isolates from these products. RESULTS: Samples were collected aseptically and transported to the Spanish laboratory complex of the University for Development Studies, Ghana, for microbial analysis. E. coli which recorded the highest occurrence was detected in 50% of the T.Z samples with bacterial loads ranging from < 100 to 2.3 × 106 cfu/g (4.49 × 105 ± 5.72 × 104 cfu/g). Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus recorded the least occurrence representing 33.3%. There were significant differences in the levels of E. coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus aureus (p < .001) across the four zones demarcated. Results of the antibiotic test revealed higher resistance to the antibiotics employed in the present study (81%). Susceptibility of microbes to ciprofloxacin (100%) was the highest, and higher resistance to gentamycin (100%) was observed in this study. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that T.Z sold in the business district of Tamale could constitute a likely health risk to consumers especially when it is consumed in a cold state. It is hereby recommended that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) should enforce food hygiene laws and ensure strict adherence.
