Abstract

JIMENEZ-EDEZA, Maribel; CASTILLO-BURGOS, Maritza; GERMAN-BAEZ, Lourdes Janeth  and  CASTANEDA-RUELAS, Gloria Marisol. Bulk sales of cold cuts and sausages: a marketing trend associated to the risk of foodborne diseases in Culiacan, Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.3, pp.848-858.  Epub Feb 05, 2021. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v11i3.5274.

The nature, production and consumption of cold cuts and sausages define these foods as vulnerable to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms that cause foodborne diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the bulk sale of cold cuts and sausages, on the hygienic quality and prevalence of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella. Thus, 96 samples of sausages (sausage and ham) from 15 national brands were collected and classified by type of sale: original package (n= 48) and bulk (n= 48). The detection of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes was analyzed by traditional culture method. 42.7 % (41/96) of the samples of cold cuts and sausages failed to comply with the sanitary specifications in terms of total coliforms and E. coli. The statistical analysis showed that the type of sale is an indicator of the microbial risk in cold cuts and sausages (χ2 = 40.0, P= 0.000), since the number of samples with poor hygienic quality was higher for bulk sales (69.0%) compared to those sold in packages (17.0 %). Additionally, the risk analysis showed that bulk sale increases 41.8 and 5.9 times the risk of acquiring ham and frankfurters of poor microbiological quality (P<0.05), respectively, while the type of sales did not influence the presence of L. monocytogenes (6.3 %). Consumers are advised to avoid bulk sale of cold cuts and sausages, and producers and sellers should reinforce good hygienic practices that will ensure food safety, and minimize the risk of infection.

Keywords : Bulk; L. monocytogenes; Package; Food safety; Cold cuts; Cold sausages.

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