This paper should be cited as:Rahimi, E.Shakerian, A.

Rahimi, E. (PhD)1, Shakerian, A. (PhD)2

1.Associate Professor of Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran

2.Associate Professor of Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective:Listeria bacteria with worldwide widespread are commonly found in soil, sewage, dust and water.Among which,Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious food-borne disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Listeria species in ready-to-eat foods.

Material and Methods:The samples(n=235)including oloveyh salad (n=64),Yogurt stew (n= 35), vegetable salad(n=52),macaroni salad(n= 48) and meat salad(n=36) were collected from the restaurants in Shahrekord, Iran.Enrichment and selective media were used to determine the prevalence of Listeria species.

Results:The results showed that 8.5%of the samples were infected by Listeria spp.The highest were isolated from vegetable salad(17.3%)and the lowest from macaroni salad(4.2%).Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 7 samples (3.0%).Other isolated species were L.innocua (4.7%) and L.seeligeri(0.9%).

Conclusion:It seems that eating ready-to- eat food or raw and undercooked foods has the potential risk of contamination to the Listeria species.

Keywords:Listeria,Ready- to- Eat Food,Shah

rekord

Corresponding Author:Rahimi, E.

Email: ebrahimrahimi55@Yahoo.com

Received 12 Jun 2013 Revised 24 Dec 2013 Accepted 26 Dec 2013