Study on Food Safety by Detection of Contamination in Food of the Market at LuangPrabang and Houaphan Province
Keywords:
Food safety, Chemical, Pesticide residue, Bacteria, Food productsAbstract
The study on Food Safety by Detection of Contamination in Food of the Market at LuangPrabang and Houaphan Province. The study was to analyse the contamination by formalin, borax, antifungal (salicylicacid), pesticide residues, E. coli, salmonella spp. in different types of food (e.g., animal products, vegetable, aquatic products, and NTFPs) at retailmarkets in Viengxay district (Houaphanh Province),in LuangPrabang and Pakxeng district (LuangPrabang province). A total of 407 samples were collected and 407 samples were examined for contamination for 4 differentchemical groups and 2 different microbiological groups (formalin, borax, salicylicacid, pesticide residues, E. coli, Salmonella spp.) were analyzed using standard protocols.
Results revealed that samples of animal products, aquatic products and NTFPs fromViengxay district market had significant amounts of formal in (6.45%), pesticide residues (24%), E. coli (12.9%) and Salmonella (80.65%). However, for the LuangPrabang district Market was found that Salmonella 30.77 %, pesticide residues 66.67% (Mainlyfound in vegetables). On the other hand, Pakxengdistrict Market was found that Salmonella 33.33% especially in aquatic products, and NTFPs, E.coliwas 4.76% (found at Animal products), pesticide residues 66.67% (Mainlyfound in vegetables).
These result sindicate that food quality and hygiene controls shouldbe made more stringent and should include restaurants, guest house and hotels. Public awareness of food poisoning risks related to the consumption of under cooked food should be increased. To improve food quality and food safety in Laos, hotel and restaurant staff and seller sshould beactively advised to use test kits. Farmers should beaware of the dangers related to the use of chemical pesticides. Meanwhile, authorities should work proactively to advise the farmers on how to use chemical pesticides correctly and should monitor farmers closely and continuously.
