Salmonellain Liquid Eggs and Other Foods in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence ofSalmonellain retail and wholesale foods in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. A total of 2,021 samples collected between 1999 and 2010 were tested using a culture method. Samples consisted of liquid eggs (n=30), meat (beef and pork) (n=781), offal (n=69), processed meats (n=2), seafood (n=232), processed seafood (dried fish) (n=76), vegetables (n=481), processed vegetables (n=87), fruits (n=167), and herbs (n=96) from 574 outlets and wholesale agents in 15 areas (five samples were undocumented regarding outlets). Overall, liquid egg showed significantly (P<0.001) higher frequencies ofSalmonellacontamination (13.3%) than beef (1/423, 0.2%) and pork (3/235, 1.3%).Salmonella entericasubsp.entericaserovar Enteritidis, the most common serovar as a human pathogen, were isolated from two liquid egg samples. NoSalmonellawere isolated from seafood and vegetable-related samples including seed sprouts (n=261). In conclusion, liquid egg is a significantSalmonellavehicle, showing a need to continue the vaccination of chickens to preventS.Enteritidis contamination in Japanese eggs. Moreover, further study is needed to evaluateSalmonellacontamination in seed sprouts with more sampling from retailers there.