Elvira Beli
Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Agriculture and Environments, Kamez, Tirana, ALBANIA
Title: An overview of biological and non-biological contaminants in foods from animals in Albania
Biography
Biography: Elvira Beli
Abstract
Foods from animals can be contaminated with biological and non-biological agents who cause illness. To evaluate the risk national authorities have responsibility to establish control programs. The investigation aim is to provide an overview of biological and non-biological 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 analyses. 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 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.