The results obtained within the frame of this study indicate the
need of adoption of hygienic practices by food handlers to minimize
the risks of transmission of foodborne pathogens through RTE foods.
Efforts must be employed to ensure that this kind of foods do not
became contaminated before final packaging. The expiration dates of
the products must accurately reflect the shelf life of products and refrigeration
storage temperatures should be taken in to account.
The data obtained in this study also indicate that RTE foods may be
contaminated with zoonotic strains of Salmonella and Listeria possessing
a varied spectrum of antimicrobial resistance. The presence of Listeria
spp. and Salmonella spp. as well as high populations of psychtrophic
bacteria, total coliform counts in RTE food products points out a potential
risk of human infection in Turkey. Continued surveillance of emerging
pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns is required for
RTE foods.