Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of L. monocytogenes in abattoir, meat processing plants, and retail meat samples across nine provinces of South Africa and in imported meat samples.
Methods: A total of 2,013 of raw meat, meat products and ready-to-eat meat products were characterized using L. monocytogenes MicroSEQ(R)RT- PCR and classical microbiological techniques.
Results: The overall presence of L. monocytogenes was 10.9% (220 of 2,013). Out of 220 positive samples 85.5% (188 of 220) were from South Africa, while 14.5% (32 of 220) where from imported samples. Geographical results revealed that samples from Gauteng (34.0%; 64 of 188) North West (14.4%; 27 of 188) and Mpumalanga (14.4%; 27 of 188) provinces had the highest presence of L. monocytogenes, while Eastern Cape had a lowest occurrence (2.1%; 4 of 188). The samples collected from retail outlets were found to be the most contaminated (56.4%; 106 of 188), followed by the meat processing plants (38.8%; 73 of 188) and abattoir (4.8%; 9 of 188). A survey of various meat types showed that 59.0% (111 of 188) of processed meat samples had the highest presence of L. monocytogenes, followed by raw meat samples (25.5%; 25 of 188) and RTE meat products (15.4%; 29 of 188).
Significance: The presence of L. monocytogenes in various meat products in South Africa may pose a risk for human health. Therefore, the present research provided useful baseline information that will help in the development of policies and regulations for monitoring of L. monocytogenes in meat products in South Africa.