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Evaluation of the microbiological safety and quality of Vietnamese Pangasius hypophthalmus during processing by a microbial assessment scheme in combination with a self-assessment questionnaire

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  • Food Science and Technology
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Abstract

Pangasius hypophthalmus (referred to as Pangasius or tra fish in Vietnam) has become highly appreciated by consumers in the European Union, USA, Japan, etc. and is of worldwide economic importance. Therefore, the microbial quality and safety of Pangasius fish processed for export was assessed by means of a microbial assessment scheme throughout the entire production process. A total of 144 samples were collected from various processing steps and analyzed. It was determined that the microbial safety and quality of the products was not guaranteed as the contamination levels remained high throughout processing. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae were present on the hands of food operators, particularly those in the packaging area. Moreover, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (1 positive out of 9 samples) and V. cholerae (4/9) on the final products was likely a result of inadequate hygiene practices in the processing environment. Also discussed in this paper are the results of a self-assessment questionnaire, which provide insight into the performance of the food safety management system currently implemented at the company. These data are of major importance in order to contribute valuable information to the local and international trade point of view in general and to the intended customers in particular.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partly supported by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development of Vietnam (NAFOSTED). We thank the company evaluated in this study for allowing us to publish the results. The authors are grateful to Dr. Siele Ceuppens for her input in the statistical analysis of the data and to Ann Dirckx for her technical guidance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Food2Know, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Anh Ngoc Tong Thi, Liesbeth Jacxsens, Bert Noseda, Simbarashe Samapundo & Frank Devlieghere

  2. Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Applied Biology, Can Tho University, 3-2 Street, Can Tho City, Vietnam

    Anh Ngoc Tong Thi & Binh Ly Nguyen

  3. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Technology and Food Science Unit, Brusselsesteenweg 370, 9090, Melle, Belgium

    Marc Heyndrickx

  4. Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium

    Marc Heyndrickx

Authors
  1. Anh Ngoc Tong Thi
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  2. Liesbeth Jacxsens
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  3. Bert Noseda
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  4. Simbarashe Samapundo
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  5. Binh Ly Nguyen
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  6. Marc Heyndrickx
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  7. Frank Devlieghere
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank Devlieghere.

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Tong Thi, A.N., Jacxsens, L., Noseda, B. et al. Evaluation of the microbiological safety and quality of Vietnamese Pangasius hypophthalmus during processing by a microbial assessment scheme in combination with a self-assessment questionnaire. Fish Sci 80, 1117–1128 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-014-0786-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-014-0786-y

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