Journal of Food Processing & Technology

An overview of biological and non-biological contaminants in foods from animals in Albania

3^rd European Food Safety & Standards Conference

October 24-25, 2016 Valencia, Spain

Elvira Beli, Ivana Dervishi, Marsela Bregaj and Ilda Dumishllari

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Food Safety and Veterinary Institute, Albania

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Foods from animals can be contaminated with biological and non-biological agents. To evaluate the risk, national authorities have responsibility to establish control programs. The investigation aim is to provide an overview of biological and nonbiological contaminants occurred in foods from animals in Albania. Biological agents and residues contaminants: Pathogens, toxic substances, residues of veterinary drugs, heavy metals and pesticides are the most concern. A large number of data obtained during the period 2002-2013 resulted from the analyses performed at FSVI laboratories, were collected and analyzed. The results indicated: Salmonella spp. was present in poultry, minced meat, pork and mollusk. The higher incidence of Salmonella spp. 5-6% resulted in poultry; L. monocytogenes was detected at 38-40% in ground meat samples, 22.3% in raw milk and also in cheese samples. The level of total bacterial count (TBC), S. aureus and E. coli were determined in raw and prepared products. Campylobacter spp. was analyzed as rare and identified in few cases in poultry and frogs. Marine biotoxine DSP in mollusk occurred. In 2010, unacceptable level of histamine in fishery was 8.40% of the samples. Veterinary drugs and hormonal residues in milk and blood, heavy metals (Pb, Cd), in animal organs occurred rare at unacceptable levels. The risk form biological agent in food from animals in Albania is present. The high incidence of pathogens should be of concern and continued vigilance is required. The occurrence of non-biological contaminants was lower, generally found infrequently at concentrations which could be the public health risk.

Biography :

Elvira Beli has completed her PhD in the field of Clinical Microbiology from Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Albania. She was specialised in Food Microbiology. She has worked for many years as Food Microbiologist, Food Safety Expert and Head of Food Safety Department at the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute. She is now Lector and Researcher of Agricultural University. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Email: elvira.beli@yahoo.com