Zoonotic Pathogens in Frozen Red and Poultry Meat imports to Jordan in the period 2015-2019: Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7

Jordan's Food and Drug Administration Laboratories are responsible for the surveillance of zoonoses in frozen meat imports. Results from the surveillance are stored in Laboratory Food Examination System (LFES) portal. In the period from 2015 to 2019, there was an apparent decrease in the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products. Poultry meat was the main product not fulfilling the criteria for compliment. The dominant detected pathogen was Salmonella Typhimurium. The other detected pathogens were Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. All red meats were tested for E. coli O157:H7 and there were no batches with positive findings. Overall, the occurrence of these pathogens has decreased in the period from 2015 to 2019, which is probably due to the enforcement of food safety guidelines and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems in the slaughterhouses in exporting countries. Still, the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products poses a risk for consumers in the region. Recommendations are required for the continuous evaluation and optimization of border inspection.