MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF READY-TO-EAT FOODSIN BENIN: BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTAND HEALTH RISKS

In sub-Saharan Africa, the food trade represents a significant aspect of human activity. In Benin, public markets and other street stalls represent a significant presence. However, most vendors lack the basic infrastructure required to ensure product safety. Traditional foodstuffs, such as dried fish and other products that are not preserved, present a significant health risk owing to the presence of biological pathogens,which can cause significant damage to human health if ingested. Foods containing biological pathogens are thought to cause over 200 diseases.Africa, particularly Benin, is currently experiencing tremendous economic expansion and is of great interest for eliminating or minimizing the danger of food-borne diseases. Therefore, it is important to assess the type of pathogen responsible and the circumstances in which it causes health problems. This review considers the stock of biological contaminants in foods sold in Benin, the associated health risks, and highlights the food safety practices.

在撒哈拉以南非洲地区，食品贸易是人类活动的重要组成部分。在贝宁，公共集市与各类街头摊位占据着重要的市场地位。然而，绝大多数摊贩都缺乏保障食品安全所需的基础配套设施。诸如干鱼等未经过防腐处理的传统食品，因存在生物病原体（biological pathogens），若被人体摄入会对健康造成严重损害，因此构成显著健康风险。据了解，携带生物病原体的食品可引发超过200种疾病。非洲，尤其是贝宁，目前正经历高速经济扩张，而消除或降低食源性疾病（food-borne diseases）的危害已成为备受关注的议题。因此，明确致病病原体的种类及其引发健康问题的具体情境，具有重要意义。本综述梳理了贝宁在售食品中生物污染物的存在情况、相关健康风险，并重点阐述了食品安全操作规范。