Pathogenic bacteria in minced meat, packaged salads and ready-to-bake pastries

: Published: 02 January 2023

In its current report on food monitoring, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety points out particular risks of microbial contamination.

STEC bacteria can cause acute intestinal inflammation and lead to severe diarrhea and vomiting.

In investigations by official food monitoring authorities in Germany, these dangerous bacteria were found in ground beef, pre-packaged salads, and ready-to-bake doughs and baking mixes.

The following examples were cited:

Minced beef:

6,7 % of the samples tested contained STEC bacteria,

21,5 % were found to contain listeria.

Pre-packed mixed salads

46,7 % of the pre-packed salads contained presumptive B.cereus germs.
Often these salads are consumed without being thoroughly washed again.

Raw dough

Please do not snack! 10% of the tested samples received STEC bacteria.

YOUR PLUS: Microbiological testing is offered by all food laboratories of the AGROLAB GROUP. Only close monitoring of microbiological quality as part of in-house controls reduces the risk of expensive and image-damaging recalls by retailers

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger

Read more (in German): Zoonosen Monitoring

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