Alerta microbiológica, carnes contaminadas en carnicerías

One of the challenges facing Paraguay in public health is foodborne diseases, as they represent a problem from the perspective of the “One Health” approach, which promotes balancing and optimizing the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of enterobacteria in pork, chicken, and ground beef sold in butcher shops in Encarnación and Trinidad, Paraguay, during the years 2023 and 2024. Nineteen samples were analyzed, which were collected under normal sales conditions, using conventional microbiological techniques to identify the presence of enterobacteria. The results revealed that 95% of the samples contained some bacterial species, with Pseudomonas spp. (5/10 samples) being the most frequent in the butcher shops of Encarnación and Enterobacter spp. (6/9 samples) in Trinidad. In addition, poor application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) by food handlers was observed, such as cross-contact and improper use of clothing, which favors bacterial proliferation. On the other hand, the absence of a Health Department in the municipality of Trinidad was noted, which limits the capacity for health surveillance. These results highlight the need to strengthen health controls, train employees, and promote the implementation of GMP as an essential preventive measure to ensure food safety and protect the health of the population.