Microbiological quality assessment of meat and dairy products from small-scale factories in european Side of Turkey

The present study was conducted to investigate the microbiological quality and safety of 67 meat and 112 dairy product samples manufactured by small-scale factories at the European side of Turkey. The results revealed that the bacteriological quality of the meat and dairy products tested was poor as Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and mold counts were found in 76.1 %, 47.8 %, 25.4 % and 50.7 % meat product samples, respectively, and in 67.0 %, 50.0 %, 2.8 % and 54.5 % dairy product samples respectively. Concerning food safety, E. coli 0157 and Listeria monocytogenes were detected by real time PCR assay in 10.5 % and 10.5 % meat product samples, and 5.4 % and 6.3 % dairy product samples, respectively. These results indicated a generally poor microbiological quality of a broad variety of products and the existence of foodborne pathogens in these products highlighted serious health issues. Therefore, in order to increase microbiological safety and quality of products, manufactured in small-scale factories of Turkey, we recommend improving and questioning existing HACCP concepts and conducting a monitoring system as a control of success