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2. INSPECTIONS

2.3 Inspection of microbiological standards

The inspection of microbiological standards focused on individual types of foodstuffs according to the current season of the year. The foodstuffs that represent higher risk from the point of view of epidemiology (for example delicatessen products or confectionery products) were sampled all year round, but in summer months on a more extensive scale.

The majority of microbiological analyses were conducted in laboratories, but some evaluations were carried out directly at the point of inspection (in stores, warehouses, etc.); the objective of the inspections was, for example, whether the foodstuffs showed undesirable changes caused by microbial activities or an undesirable growth of microorganisms (moulds visible by the naked eye, rotting).

In 2003 a total of 3210 samples were collected for laboratory analyses. By checking at the point of inspection and in laboratories a total of 933 unsatisfactory foodstuff samples were found (out of this number 249 at the place of inspection and 684 in laboratories). The majority of unsatisfactory/failed samples were detected from among confectionery products (362), delicatessen (187), fresh vegetables (74), fresh fruit (73), and meat - meat products (68).

Results of laboratory analyses

Microbiological analyses of foodstuffs in the laboratory were conducted according to standards applicable in the Czech Republic and methodological recommendations. In 2003 out of 3210 food samples collected for microbiological examination in laboratories, 684 (21.3%) unsatisfactory samples were found. Out of this number there were 96 (3.0%) unsafe samples, and the remaining 588 samples failed to meet the tolerated limits of microorganisms in foodstuffs.

In the course of the year the highest numbers of unsatisfactory samples were detected during summer months (June through September). The most frequent cause for failing to meet microbiological standards was the detection of coliform bacteria, aerobic mesophilic microorganisms (CPM - total number of microorganisms) and yeast.

Apart from the inspections performed in a regular way the assessments also included the levels of microbiological purity of foodstuffs, the so-called “planned microbiological inspection (monitoring)”. The monitoring carried out in 2003 was mainly made up on the basis of results of extraordinary inspections conducted in the past years and also following the continuing trend within the CAFIA concept, which focused on the monitoring of pathogenic agents causing alimentary infections (specifically microorganisms of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes). The monitoring also included the tracking of the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria of the Campylobacter genus and bacterial toxins.

Within the planned microbiological inspections 550 samples were collected and analyzed in the CAFIA microbiological laboratories. Out of this number 111 (20.2%) samples were evaluated as failing to meet the requirements set for the tolerated limits of microorganisms in foodstuffs, and in 19 (3.5%) samples the highest possible limits were exceeded; it means that 19 samples were evaluated as unsafe for human health.

Results of the inspection of microbiological standards in foodstuffs. The numbers of unsatisfactory samples according to the commodities.