Prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in Retail Foods and Farm-associated Environments in Japan

Five hundred and sixteen food samples retailed in Japan were examined for viable bacterial counts (VBC), coliforms, and Cronobacter spp. Cronobacter spp. was detected in 12.4 % (64/516) of the total food samples, comprising 15.4 % (35/228) in agricultural products, 14.7 % (28/190) in livestock products, 1.5 % (1/65) in marine products, and 0 % in infant foods (0/33). Cut and packed vegetables for cooking, flours, and beef offal showed the high prevalence of Cronobacter spp., whereas raw milk, marine products, and infant foods showed the lower prevalence. High correlations were observed between the levels of VBC and the prevalence of Cronobacter spp., and the levels of coliform and the prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in some types of food sample. Cronobacter spp. was seen in bovine feces (37.5 %, 3/8), soil (16.7 %, 4/24) and composts (10.0 %, 1/10). These results suggested that the bovine feces might be one of the potent natural habitats of Cronobacter spp.