INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES: Microbial Quality of a Middle Eastern, Raw, Ready-to-Eat Meat Dish

Numerous foodborne disease outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of raw beef dishes. The purpose of this study was to conduct a microbial examination of kibbeh nayyeh, a Middle Eastern, raw, ready-to-eat (RTE) meat dish. In 2017, 30 samples were purchased from three Middle Eastern butcher shops in Toronto, Ontario. We tested the samples for total coliforms and E. coli. Results showed that 93% of the samples were positive for total coliforms (n = 28) and 17% were positive for E. coli (n = 5). Furthermore, 30% of the samples had satisfactory levels of total coliforms based on provincial guidelines for RTE foods, while 87% of the samples had satisfactory levels of E. coli. Evidence indicates that additional procedures are needed to enhance the safety of this product.