Baseline assessment of the microbial contamination of Lori cheese sold in Yerevan markets

Abstract

This study focuses on microbial food contamination at the market level and answers the following research question: does Lori cheese, sold in open-air markets of Yerevan, conform to the food safety standards of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Armenia by the following parameters: total coliforms, Escherichia coli O157:H7, salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and molds that produce toxins. This was a comprehensive survey with cross-sectional analytical study design, which could be used as a baseline for future inspection efforts. The objectives of the program were: 1. Provide current data on the prevalence and levels of coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli O157:H7, salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and molds in each of 60 samples of Lori cheese sold in Yerevan open-air markets during September 2003. 2. Publicize the information from microbiological analysis to the public about significance of health and environmental risks in order to provide further actions toward minimizing. From 60 analyzed samples of Lori cheese, collected from open-air markets of 12 Yerevan districts, in 85% of the samples the total coliform counts exceeded the USDA standard for safety dramatically: from 1 to more then 1,000 cfu/g in 1:10,000 dilution. For the members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and molds this numbers reached to 70% and 20% respectively. E coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes were found in 2 samples each and no salmonella species registered in any sample. The findings of this study supported the hypothesis that Lori cheese had elevated microbial counts resulting from improper farming, milking, handling, and selling practices and is a threat to the public’s health. These findings serve as a basis for recommending implementation of improved sanitary standards and monitoring of products sold in the markets of Yerevan.