Microbial contamination in bulk ready-to-eat meat products of China in 2016

In 2016, special surveillance was conducted on bulk ready-to-eat meat products across China. Aerobic plate count (APC), coliforms and three food-borne pathogens were detected. It is the first time that APC and coliforms were detected and that all the Salmonella spp. isolated were serologically analyzed. 29.68% (1017/3427) of the samples had APC above 105 CFU/g. 33.17% (1139/3434) of the samples were contaminated by coliforms over 100 CFU/g. The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were 2.18% (75/3440) and 0.75% (26/3444), respectively. 1.14% (39/3417) of the samples had Staphylococcus aureus more than 100 CFU/g. The food hygiene status in rural areas was significantly worse than that in the urban areas. APC and coliforms of samples collected in the third season were the worst. The hygiene status in bulk ready-to-eat meat products was serious. This study revealed a potential public health problem caused by bulk ready-to-eat meat products.