Microbiological and chemical analysis of land snails commercialised in Sicily

Abstract

In this study 160 samples of snails belonging to the species <em>Helix aspersa maxima</em> and <em>Helix aspersa muller</em> were examined for chemical and microbiological analysis. Samples came from Greece and Poland. Results showed mean concentration of cadmium (0.35±0.036 mg/kg) and lead (0.05±0.013 mg/kg) much higher than the limit of detection. Mercury levels in both species were not detected. Microbiological analysis revealed the absence of <em>Salmonella</em> spp. and <em>Clostridium</em> spp. in both examined species. <em>E. coli</em> and <em>K. oxytoca</em> were observed in <em>Helix aspersa maxima</em> and <em>Helix aspersa muller</em>. Furthermore, one case of fungi positivity in samples of <em>Helix aspersa muller</em> was found. The reported investigations highlight the need to create and adopt a reference legislation to protect the health of consumers.