Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Archiv fur Lebensmittelhygiene, cilt.65, sa.5, ss.121-124, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
Stuffed mussels are a popular foodstuff in the Mediterranean that is sold on a readyto-eat base by street venders. The present paper sought to determine the microbiological quality of this product. For that, edible parts of mussels (valves and stuffing removed, n = 100) from different city districts of Izmir were analysed with regard to average total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), coliform bacteria, faecal coliform bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus. Bacillus cereus and Vibrio spp, counts, as well as well for pH. Results were compared with the recommendations of the Turkish Food Codex. While all samples were negative for salmonellae and E. coli, several other criteria as recommended by the Turkish food safety authorities were not met, e. g. elevated TMBA or the presence of Vibrio spp. in 13 % of samples. Comparing the results with the literature it became clear that street-sold stuffed mussels can pose a threat to human health in the Mediterranean, and that means should be taken (including enhanced control and monitoring schemes) to ensure hygienic processing and marketing of this foodstuff.