One hundred pork meat samples from selected public markets in Nueva Vizcaya were purchased and examined with the following objectives: (1) determine prevalence of Salmonella and E.coli in retail pork; (2) determine contamination rates in the selected public markets; (3) evaluate quality of pork by determining pH value and aerobic plate count of the samples; and (4) identify factors that can affect quality of pork sold in the public markets. The samples were randomly collected from selected meat stalls in four public markets of Solano, Bayombong, Bambang, and Aritao from February 04- March 01, 2013, and were analyzed at National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)-Central Meat Laboratory.

Out of 100 samples examined, 70% were contaminated with Salmonella spp., while 91% of the samples were positive for E. coli. All of the four public markets have Salmonella and E. coli contaminated pork being sold. Among the four public markets, Bambang has the highest contamination rate for Salmonella spp. with 100% of the samples (n=25) being contaminated while Aritao and Bayombong have high contamination rates for E. coli with 96% of the samples that tested positive. Differences in contamination rates among the four public markets is highly significant for Salmonella (P=0.000) but not for E. coli (P=0.157). Level of contamination of E. coli in the four public markets ranges from 15.82 - 43.65MPN / g Differences in the mean E. coli count among four public markets is highly significant (P = 0.039) Mean aerobic plate count of pork samples ranges from 1.8 x 105 CFU / g (Bayombong) to 4 x 105 CFU / g (Bambang). In terms of pH value, out of 100 samples, 63 had a pH value below 5.7, 34 samples with a pH value between 5.7-6.1, and three samples with pH above 6.1. Mean pH value (5.83) of meat samples from Bayombong (60%) are within the acceptable range in terms of keeping quality while samples from the other three public markets are below the range of 5.7-6.1. There was a significant difference in mean pH value and aerobic plate count of samples from four public markets (P = 0.003).

Results of this study revealed that food-borne pathogens Salmonella and Escherichia coli are prevalent in raw retail pork sold in selected public markets in Nueva Vizcaya. As such raw pork can be considered as a potential vehicle for transmitting food-borne illnesses to humans. Findings of this study stress the need for strict monitoring and surveillance of food-borne pathogens in meat and increased consumer awareness on food safety through consumer education.

Thesis (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.