Journal of Advances in Microbiology

The hygiene status of most abattoirs and retail outlets in Nigeria is very poor, and it contributes to the unacceptable level of bacteria load in beef, and poses a health risk to consumers. This study examined the bacteriological analysis of beef production chain in Birnin Kebbi metropolis. A total of 100 samples of meat, water and surface swab in Main Market, GRA, Badariya, Bayan Kara and Rafin Atiku, Birnin Kebbi Central abattoir and retail meat shops were collected aseptically, processed and analyzed. Meat from retail outlets were mostly contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus (24.4%), followed by Escherichia coli (17.3%), Klebsiella pneumonia (9.8%), Salmonella typhimurium (9.1%), Entrobater aerogenes (8.5%), Streptococcus pyogenes (8.1%), Proteus vulgaris (7.8%), Micrococcus luteus (7.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.2%). In the abattoirs contact surfaces, contamination occurred mostly by Staphylococcus aureus (23.4%), Salmonella typhimurium (18.2%), Escherichia coli (16.9%), Entrobater aerogenes (9.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes (7.8%), Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.5% each) and Micrococcus luteus (5.2%). The findings revealed a high bacterial load in both abattoir and retail meat outlets. In order to safeguard the health of the public against the risks of food borne infections, there is a need to educate and advocate good sanitation and meat handling practices in the abattoir and beef retail outlets.