Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Foodborne diseases are a major cause of illness in low- and middle-income countries, and most are due to fresh foods sold in traditional markets. Contamination with foodborne pathogens, especially <i>Salmonella</i> spp., continues to be common in these markets. To better understand why this is the c...
| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Elsevier
2026
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178411 |
| _version_ | 1855521649338613760 |
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| author | Trang Thi Huyen Le Hoffmann, Vivian Ambler, Kate Murphy, Mike Sinh Dang-Xuan Lindahl, Johanna F. Rajala, E. Lam, Steven Boqvist, S. Unger, Fred Hung Nguyen-Viet |
| author_browse | Ambler, Kate Boqvist, S. Hoffmann, Vivian Hung Nguyen-Viet Lam, Steven Lindahl, Johanna F. Murphy, Mike Rajala, E. Sinh Dang-Xuan Trang Thi Huyen Le Unger, Fred |
| author_facet | Trang Thi Huyen Le Hoffmann, Vivian Ambler, Kate Murphy, Mike Sinh Dang-Xuan Lindahl, Johanna F. Rajala, E. Lam, Steven Boqvist, S. Unger, Fred Hung Nguyen-Viet |
| author_sort | Trang Thi Huyen Le |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Foodborne diseases are a major cause of illness in low- and middle-income countries, and most are due to fresh foods sold in traditional markets. Contamination with foodborne pathogens, especially <i>Salmonella</i> spp., continues to be common in these markets. To better understand why this is the case, this study assessed total bacteria count (TBC) and Salmonella in pork across Vietnamese traditional markets and evaluated vendors’ food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices, examining their associations with contamination. Data was collected in 68 markets across five provinces, with up to 10 pork vendors per market randomly selected. Microbiological data were collected through cut pork samples and cutting boards swabs (n=396), along with structured questionnaires and observations with vendors (n=486). Cutting board swabs were analyzed for TBC only, while cut pork was tested for both TBC and <i>Salmonella</i>. Linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to identify risk factors for TBC and <i>Salmonella</i> prevalence. The overall <i>Salmonella</i> prevalence in cut pork was 64.4% (255/396) and was significantly higher in southern provinces (86.8%) compared to the north (47.5%, p < 0.01). TBC was high in pork and cutting boards (6.4 log<sub>10</sub>CFU/g and 6.9 log<sub>10</sub>CFU/cm<sup>2</sup>, respectively), and only 30% of the pork samples met the Vietnamese standard for TBC in fresh meat. Selling of organs was associated with a higher TBC (coefficient = 0.13, CI: 0.01–0.26, p = 0.03) and greater <i>Salmonella</i> risk (OR = 2.04, p = 0.009). Temperature significantly increased both outcomes (p < 0.001), while using easy-to-clean surfaces reduced TBC levels (coefficient = -0.16, CI: -0.30 to -0.01, p = 0.03). Vendors demonstrated limited food safety knowledge and mixed attitudes. Observations revealed poor hygienic practices, such as displaying pork on cardboard or cloth or lack of washing with soap and disinfectants, which was influenced by limited access to facilities and equipment. Regional differences suggested contamination levels were influenced by both environmental and market-related factors. These findings highlight the need for holistic interventions targeting an enabling environment, appropriate equipment, and behavioral incentives. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace178411 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| publisherStr | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1784112025-12-15T20:22:36Z Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices Trang Thi Huyen Le Hoffmann, Vivian Ambler, Kate Murphy, Mike Sinh Dang-Xuan Lindahl, Johanna F. Rajala, E. Lam, Steven Boqvist, S. Unger, Fred Hung Nguyen-Viet animal products food safety markets pork capacity development Foodborne diseases are a major cause of illness in low- and middle-income countries, and most are due to fresh foods sold in traditional markets. Contamination with foodborne pathogens, especially <i>Salmonella</i> spp., continues to be common in these markets. To better understand why this is the case, this study assessed total bacteria count (TBC) and Salmonella in pork across Vietnamese traditional markets and evaluated vendors’ food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices, examining their associations with contamination. Data was collected in 68 markets across five provinces, with up to 10 pork vendors per market randomly selected. Microbiological data were collected through cut pork samples and cutting boards swabs (n=396), along with structured questionnaires and observations with vendors (n=486). Cutting board swabs were analyzed for TBC only, while cut pork was tested for both TBC and <i>Salmonella</i>. Linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to identify risk factors for TBC and <i>Salmonella</i> prevalence. The overall <i>Salmonella</i> prevalence in cut pork was 64.4% (255/396) and was significantly higher in southern provinces (86.8%) compared to the north (47.5%, p < 0.01). TBC was high in pork and cutting boards (6.4 log<sub>10</sub>CFU/g and 6.9 log<sub>10</sub>CFU/cm<sup>2</sup>, respectively), and only 30% of the pork samples met the Vietnamese standard for TBC in fresh meat. Selling of organs was associated with a higher TBC (coefficient = 0.13, CI: 0.01–0.26, p = 0.03) and greater <i>Salmonella</i> risk (OR = 2.04, p = 0.009). Temperature significantly increased both outcomes (p < 0.001), while using easy-to-clean surfaces reduced TBC levels (coefficient = -0.16, CI: -0.30 to -0.01, p = 0.03). Vendors demonstrated limited food safety knowledge and mixed attitudes. Observations revealed poor hygienic practices, such as displaying pork on cardboard or cloth or lack of washing with soap and disinfectants, which was influenced by limited access to facilities and equipment. Regional differences suggested contamination levels were influenced by both environmental and market-related factors. These findings highlight the need for holistic interventions targeting an enabling environment, appropriate equipment, and behavioral incentives. 2026-02 2025-12-01T13:32:02Z 2025-12-01T13:32:02Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178411 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/159317 Open Access Elsevier Trang Thi Huyen Le, Hoffmann, V., Ambler, K., Murphy, M., Sinh Dang-Xuan, Lindahl, J.F., Rajala, E., Lam, S., Boqvist, S., Unger, F. and Hung Nguyen-Viet. 2026. Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 247:106757. |
| spellingShingle | animal products food safety markets pork capacity development Trang Thi Huyen Le Hoffmann, Vivian Ambler, Kate Murphy, Mike Sinh Dang-Xuan Lindahl, Johanna F. Rajala, E. Lam, Steven Boqvist, S. Unger, Fred Hung Nguyen-Viet Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title | Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title_full | Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title_fullStr | Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title_short | Pork safety across Vietnam's traditional markets: microbial contamination and vendor knowledge, attitudes, and practices |
| title_sort | pork safety across vietnam s traditional markets microbial contamination and vendor knowledge attitudes and practices |
| topic | animal products food safety markets pork capacity development |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178411 |
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