Purpose: To determine Salmonella and Listeria prevalence of fresh meat and poultry in various market settings in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam.
Methods: Five whole muscle beef, pork, and chicken (whole bird) samples were aseptically purchased in two supermarkets (SM), indoor markets (IM), and open markets (OM) at opening and closing (N = 180). Samples were rinsed in 90 ml of buffered peptone water, which was used for microbiological testing. Salmonella was detected as red colonies with yellow halo, using Salmonella Enrichment Broth™ and Petrifilm™ Salmonella Express Systems™ (3M USA, St. Paul, MN). Listeria was detected as blue/green colonies, using Demi-Fraser Broth™ (3M USA, St. Paul, MN) and ALOA agar (bioMérieux, St. Louis, MO). Statistical significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: Salmonella prevalence in beef was similar among market types at opening (50.00 to 62.50%; P ≥ 0.54), however, was greater in SM and IM at closing (90.00 and 100.00%, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). Salmonella prevalence in pork differed between IM and OM at opening and closing (P = 0.04), however, was similar in chicken among market types or sampling times (P > 0.05). Listeria prevalence in beef was similar among market types at opening (87.50 to 100.00%, respectively; P ≥ 0.25), however, was lower in SM at closing (70%, P < 0.01). Listeria prevalence in pork and chicken did not differ among market types or sampling times (P > 0.11).
Significance: The data indicate that consumers in HCMC, Vietnam are exposed to great risks of Salmonella and Listeria, which depend on market types and time of purchase.