Document Type : Research Paper
Author
DVM Graduate, Faculty Of Veterinary medicine , Islamic Azad university, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Animal meats are valuable sources in essential nutrients, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. As a critical component of the human diet, they can also act as a significant vehicle for transmitting pathogens to consumers if contaminated.
This study focused on the daily markets affiliated with the municipal Fruit and Vegetable Organization, a primary retail source for various meats in Iran. These markets have gained public trust for household purchases due to offering competitively priced products and being subject to health inspections by both municipal officials and environmental health units of the Ministry of Health. This supervision covers the supply chain of both plant and animal-origin products from receipt to point of sale.
Given the paramount importance of hygienic meat distribution for public health, this study assessed the sanitary conditions in four major daily markets in Karaj, Iran (A, B, C and D). samples were collected from various surfaces (refrigerators and shop environment), refrigerator air, equipment (cutting boards, meat grinders, knives), personnel (hands and aprons), ice on fish, fish water, aquarium water, and ice machines from red meat, poultry, and fish shops. Sampling was performed using direct and indirect swabs, wash tests, and air tests to determine total bacterial count and Staphylococcus aureus count.
The results indicated that only the ice machines in fish shops and the hygienic condition of the refrigerator air were within acceptable limits to some extent. Significant microbial contamination, exceeding standard limits, was detected on personnel hands and aprons, refrigerator and environmental surfaces, cutting boards, meat grinders, knives, and the ice water used in fish containers.
It is strongly recommended that all personnel within the Fruit and Vegetable Organization receive continuous training. Furthermore, a comprehensive program involving insect and rodent control, strict adherence to personal hygiene, and the regular disinfection of all shop and refrigerator surfaces under veterinary supervision must be implemented.
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