A surveillance of microbiological contamination on raw poultry meat at retail markets in China

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between hygienic indicators and Salmonella contamination in poultry meat from retail markets in China. From July 2016 to December 2016, a total of 2331 samples were collected from different outlets in 20 provinces of China. All the samples were examined for aerobic plate counts, Escherichia coli and Salmonella. The Salmonella serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility test were also performed. E. coli was found in 45.80% (1091/2331) of poultry samples. E. coli were significantly positive correlated to aerobic plate count. Salmonella was tested positive in 369 (15.83%) samples. In poultry samples, aerobic plate counts and E. coli were significantly higher for samples contaminated with Salmonella. Among 369 Salmonella isolates, a total of 73 serotypes were identified. Nine major serotypes, i.e., Salmonella Enteritidis (25.20%), Corvallis (8.40%), Typhimurium (8.13%), Kentucky (7.86%), Indiana (4.61%), Dabou (4.61%), Agona (4.34%), Rissen (3.79%) and Thompson (2.98%) accounted for 69.92% of all Salmonella isolates. 300 (81.30%) isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, 119 (32.25%) isolates were multi-drug resistant. Aerobic plate count and E coli may be considered as good indicators for Salmonella in poultry samples. The results indicated that Salmonella contamination in retail poultry meat in China was much higher than that in the United States and EU countries, but the contamination level was lower than that in Korea and Japan. Good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices, and hazard analysis critical control point systems for Salmonella control in poultry production at farm, processing, and retail level should be implemented. The results are useful for risk assessment of Salmonella contamination of poultry meat in China and provide valuable information for future national control policy in China.