Evaluation of Food Contact Surface Contamination and the Presence of Pathogenic Bacteria in Seafood Retail Outlets in the Sultanate of Oman

This study was undertaken to find out the total microbiological load and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms on food contact surfaces in seafood retail markets in the Sultanate of Oman. Microbiological and sanitary conditions on food contact surfaces in four retail fish markets was studied by using Food Stamp Rodac (Replicate Organism Detection and Counting) plates and ATP sanitation monitoring system. High plate readings of Total Colony Count (TCC) and indicator organisms such as total coliforms, yeasts and molds and Escherichia coli were obtained from samples collected from most food contact surfaces. Similarly, significant numbers of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens were observed in microbiological samples from all fish markets. Hygiene status of the food contact surfaces studied using the AccuPoint Sanitation Monitoring System showed extremely high levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) on all food contact surfaces in all fish markets. Only water samples showed very low ATP levels. This study reveals the presence of contaminating and pathogenic bacteria in seafood retail outlets and the urgent need to improve the hygiene status of retail fish markets in the Sultanate of Oman.