Microbiological quality of tofu and related products in Canada

One hundred and fifty-three samples of tofu, related products, and environmental samples comprising 346 sample units were collected from 14 manufacturers across Canada. They were analyzed for coliforms, Salmonella, Yersinia, Staphylococcus aureus, and psychrotrophs. Although S. aureus counts were generally less than 250 cells per g and Salmonella was not detected, levels of psychrotrophs exceeded 106 per g in more than 45% of finished tofu and okara samples, and levels of coliforms exceeded 103 per g in more than 35% of these samples. Yersinia enterocolitica was also isolated from four samples of finished tofu.