Health and Safety Update (April 2009)
Microbiological Quality of Salad Vegetables and Sauces from
Kebab Takeaway Restaurants
A Health Protection Agency (HPA) study has found that around 5%
of salads and sauces served in kebab takeaway restaurants contain
unsatisfactory and unacceptable levels of bacteria.
Between 1992 and 2007, 13 outbreaks of food borne disease were
reported in England and Wales associated with kebabs and products
served from takeaway restaurants. There were 739 cases linked to
these outbreaks, with 94 people hospitalised. Previous
studies have shown cooked kebab meat to be of good microbiological
quality. However, the evidence from food borne outbreaks suggests
that contamination of other foods available from kebab takeaway
restaurants may also be an important factor.
For this study, a total of 1,213 salad and 1208 sauce samples
were collected from 1,277 randomly selected kebab shops across
England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 1 June and 31 July
2007. Salad and sauce samples were analysed for the presence of E.
coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella. Sauces were
additionally examined for Bacillus type organisms. Microbiological
results were compared to the HPA guidelines for the microbiological
quality of ready-to-eat foods sampled at the point of sale.
It was found that almost 5% of salad vegetable samples were of
unsatisfactory microbiological quality due to E. coli and/or S.
aureus. Cucumber was the most contaminated salad vegetable.
Almost 5% of sauce samples were also of unsatisfactory
microbiological quality due to E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus and
other pathogenic Bacillus.
Chilli sauce samples were the most contaminated, with 8.7% of
unsatisfactory or unacceptable microbiological quality.
Two recent large outbreaks of salmonella in the UK highlight
that significant health problems can arise from contaminated salad
and sauce products in addition to kebab meat.
The study highlights the importance of sound approaches to food
safety management in kebab takeaways. If you are in this business
or in any other fast food or any food business then you should
implement your RBS Mentor Food Safety System to ensure that your
organisation is HACCP compliant and to promote better practices
within the workplace. Use our 24/7 advice line and the services of
your dedicated Consultant to reinforce the message of good food and
kitchen hygiene within your workplace.