Purpose: The objective of this study is to identify microbial risks for certified agricultural standards-compliant Ready-to-Eat food products in Taiwan.
Methods: We collected microbial analysis data of outbreak-associated food samples, food survey samples, and RTE products compliant with CAS in Taiwan from 2010-2014. Samples were evaluated for sanitary indicators (total count, coliforms, and E. coli) and pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus).
Results: We analyzed data from approximately 1,000 samples/year tested by the government; the pathogenic bacteria positive ratio was 10.6% (532/4,997). Among Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, pathogenic E. coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella, the positive samples were 345, 161, 83, 21 and 15, respectively. The pathogenic bacteria positive ratio of CAS-compliant samples was 1.1% (4/359); only 4 samples, 2 rice ball (3 & 4 MPN/g) and 2 glutinous oil rice (4 & 11 MPN/g), were Bacillus cereus positive. No other pathogens were found. The results showed Bacillus cereus was detected more frequently than other foodborne pathogens in all samples. The pathogenic bacteria were identified on CAS-compliant RTE samples collected from factories.
Significance: Evaluations of samples collected from factories indicate CAS-compliant RTE products are of high quality and present low microbial hazard risk. The 4 samples identified as contaminated with Bacillus cereus, though in low amounts, may contain emetic toxin-producing strains. CAS-compliant RTE data from products in the market remains unknown; these products may pose potential risk.