ASSESSMENT OF BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF MEAT CONTACT SURFACES IN MEAT VENDORS’ SHOPS IN GBOKO MAIN MARKET

Meat is an essential source of protein for human nutrition. It is a highly perishable commodity and requires strict hygiene and proper handling to ensure its safety for human consumption. Unhygienic conditions in meat-selling environments contribute to the persistence of bacterial contamination on meat contact surfaces, jeopardizing consumer safety. This study aimed to assess the bacteriological quality of meat contact surfaces in meat seller shops at Gboko Main Market, Benue State. One hundred swab samples were collected from various meat contact surfaces across different sections of the market and analyzed for bacterial contamination using conventional culture. Four bacterial genera were identified including, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Escherichia. For the market sections, Adekaa had the highest bacterial load in CFU/cm2 (2.92 X 106), followed by Malami (2.90 X 106), New Road (2.73 X 106), and GRA (2.47 X 106), while Akaajime had the least (2.39 X 106). Tables had the highest mean bacterial load (CFU/ cm2) of 3.73 X 106, followed by knives (3.258 X 106), then hands (1.892 X 106) while the least bacterial load was observed for aprons (1.848 X 106). ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean bacterial load across the various market sections, and on meat contact surfaces (p