The study aims at determining the physicochemical, proximate composition and the total viable count of Staphylococcus aureus in ‘Nono’ and yoghurt samples in Kaduna, Nigeria.Three hundred and eighty-four (384) fermented milk samples (Nono and yoghurt) were obtained from different selling points and were evaluated for the occurrence of S. aureus. The physicochemical and proximate analyses (pH, total titratable acidity, moisture content, ash content, protein content, and fat content) were determined. The results of the analyses showed that Nono had pH range of 3.56-3.61, total titratable acidity: 0.71-1.72, moisture content: 82.23-83.87%, ash content: 0.30-0.31%, crude protein content: 1.50-1.61%, crude fat content: 0.35-0.38 %. For yoghurt, the pH ranged from 3.76 -3.82, total titratable acidity: 1.10 -1.15, moisture content: 77.76-80.06%, ash content: 0.68- 0.70%, crude protein content: 3.40-3.45% and crude fat content: 1.76-1.79% from all the study areas. One hundred and four of the total samples were contaminated with S. aureus. Out of the 104 isolates of S. aureus that were isolated and identified, 88 were coagulase positive S.aureus. The Microgen Staph ID kit (Oxoid) was used to further confirm the characteristics of the 60 isolates of the coagulase positive S. aureus. The kit confirmed 43 isolates as S. aureus, the results indicated the presence of S. aureus in the milk samples which is of public health importance, as this can contribute to food-borne intoxication which can lead to food poisoning. There is a need for proper pasteurisation of raw milk to help eradicate S. aureus infection before human consumption.

The aim of this study was to detect Staphylococcus aureus contamination to different types of animal origin foods collected in the Kırşehir province of Turkey and to examine their enterotoxin production ability. Out of 120 food samples 38 suspected colonies were obtained and 23 of them were identified as S. aureus by biochemical and molecular analyses. Other species detected were S. chromogenes, S. cohnii ssp. cohnii, S. hominis, S. lentus, S. warneri, and S. xylosus. The isolates were also analysed with regard to carry mecA gene. None of them was found to have mecA gene indicating susceptibility to methicillin. To determine the enterotoxigenic ability of the isolates phenotypically, reversed-passive-latex-agglutination test against SEA-SED was used. Six out of 23 S. aureus isolates were determined to produce SEA, SEC and SED. Three of them had only one enterotoxin production, whereas others had SEA and SED production together. The results of phenotypic analyses were confirmed by PCR based examination. None of the coagulase-negative staphylococci were found to be enterotoxigenic by both phenotypical and PCR-based analyses. In conclusion, enterotoxigenic S. aureus is a risk in foods of animal origin in Kırşehir and its counties.

The aim of this study was to investigate food safety knowledge levels according to the socio-demographic profiles of young food handlers and to find out the determinants of the knowledge level. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Türkiye; it consisted of sections including hygienic design, freezing and thawing, preparation, cooking and reheating, service, storage, and foodborne diseases sections. The food safety knowledge level differed according to gender, age, income, grade level, and intership status. Participants who coded 60% of the survey statements correctly were considered to have “good” food safety knowledge. Knowledge about cooking and reheating, foodborne diseases, and service was found to be at a poor level, but food safety knowledge (overall) was good (68%). The correct score ratio was found to be the highest for hygienic design. Binary logistic regression presented that gender, income, grade level, and internship status significantly affected knowledge level. The strongest predictors were found to be income of $638-$850 (exp (β)=12.9) and more than $850 (exp (β)=4.6), respectively. This study highlights that female students under the age of 25 with an income of more than $638, who have not yet completed an internship, have the highest level of food safety knowledge. This study presented a holistic approach to the food safety knowledge of young food handlers. These insights can contribute to the development of hygiene/sanitation and food safety course content for culinary and gastronomy students.