Prevalence of non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. in chicken shops of Punjab

The study targets the prevalence of non-typhoidal Salmonella in retail meat shops, particularly in chicken meat samples, within India.Our investigation revealed a prevalence rate of 11.14% for non-typhoidal Salmonella.These results underscore the potential risks of cross-contamination during the slaughtering process, especially in facilities where multiple tasks are conducted on the same surface without adequate cleaning and disinfection between each operation.It reports non-typhoidal Salmonella prevalence in retail chicken meat outlets in India, aligning with previously reported rates.Notably, the occurrence rate in chicken meat samples (12.78%) aligns with findings from prior studies conducted in similar settings.The presence of various serovars, including Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Kentucky and Salmonella Infantis, highlights the diversity of non-typhoidal Salmonella strains encountered in retail meat shops.The need for continued vigilance and adherence to hygiene protocols in retail meat shops to minimize the prevalence of nontyphoidal Salmonellaand safeguard public health.By addressing these concerns, we can mitigate the risk of nontyphoidal Salmonella transmission and enhance the safety of chicken meat products for consumers.