Microbiological safety of food products in Republic of Macedonia for the period 2001-2009.

This study aim is microbiological safety evaluation of food stuff s which were imported, produced or distributed to the consumers in Macedonia. Evaluation was performed according retrospective analysis of data for microbiological food safety from the annual reports for food safety in Macedonia, for the period from 2001 to 2009. Laboratories are using accredited methods and assessment was made according national legislation for microbiological criteria for food products. Data analysis was performed according origin and groups of the food products. In 2001 8% of tested samples from domestic origin and market were microbiological unsafe, in 2005 5% were unsafe, and in 2009 the number of unsafe samples decreased to 3%. Percentage of unsafe samples from imported food products was in range from 0.3% to 1%. Most frequently isolated microorganisms were E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive, Salmonella, and most frequently contaminated products were milk and meat products, sweets and ice-cream. Food products from domestic origin and market were in bigger percentage microbiological unsafe, compared to imported products, but with this study we found decreasing trend of microbiological unsafety. Food operators in the last years have improved their hygienic practice in processing, preparing and storage of food products.