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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341608
Title: Market setting and time of purchase influences on salmonella and listeria prevalence in beef and pork in Vietnam

Author
item ENGLISHBEY, APRIL - Texas Tech University
item VU, P - Ho Chi Minh City University Of Technology
item LE, M - Ho Chi Minh City University Of Technology
item NGUYEN, D - Ho Chi Minh City University Of Technology
item Broadway, Paul
item GUILLEN, LACEY - Tyson Foods
item BRASHEARS, MINDY - Texas Tech University
item DONALDSON, JANET - Mississippi State University
item SCHILLING, M - Mississippi State University
item DINH, THU - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: International Congress of Meat Science and Technology Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria in the beef and pork supply in Vietman. These meat products are sold at open (outdoor) markets, as well as, indoor supermarkets and these represent the major retailers of beef and pork in the country. Each type of market was sampled at the beginning and end of the day to see if bacterial populations changed from morning to afternoon. Of the 360 samples of beef and pork, Salmonella contaminated 50 and 43% of the samples respectively. From the same samples, listeria was determined to contaminate 90 % of beef and 64% of pork samples. Surprisingly, outdoor markets had an overall decreased contamination prevalence compared to indoor markets. Hygienic practices in Vietnam vary greatly from those in the United States,and implementation of small changes, may greatly enhance the safety of beef and pork in the country; however, it is important to determine a baseline contamination prevalence to accurately track the success of the changes. The overall contamination rates determined by this study are significantly greater than those in the U.S.; however, the incidence of foodborne illness does not correspond with the increased contamination. Future studies may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms that keep illnesses at bay. Surveillance of foodborne pathogens in Vietnam may also be applicable to certain areas of the United States and may provide insight into prevention and mitigation of Salmonella and Listeria in beef and pork to further enhance a stable, sustainable, and safe food supply.

Technical Abstract: This objective of this study was to determine the influence of market type and sampling time on Salmonella and Listeria prevalence of 360 beef (n = 180) and pork (n = 180) samples collected in 6 supermarkets (SM), 6 indoor markets (IM), and 6 open markets (OM) at the opening (T0) and 4 h after the opening (T4) in Vietnam. Salmonella prevalence in beef was > 50% and was influenced by market type and sampling time (P = 0.082 and 0.019, respectively). Salmonella presence in pork (42.9%) was influenced only by market type (P = 0.049). Listeria spp. prevalence was greater than 90% and 64% in beef and pork, respectively and the presence of the pathogen in both meat types were not influenced by market type or time.