This study aims to evaluate the microbiological status, pH, and water activity of European beaver meat to establish its shelf-life and microbiological safety. In this study, the microbiological profiles of meat and minced meat obtained from the carcasses of beavers were investigated. Microbial evaluation of the chilled meat was performed within 24 h after hunting, on the 7th day and 14th day, and the evaluation of the frozen meat was made during the 11th week of storage. Meat samples were analysed for total viable count (TVC), psychrotrophic bacteria count (PBC), Enterobacteriaceae count (EBC), Escherichiacoli count (EC), total staphylococcal count (TSC), lactic acid bacteria count (LABC) and total yeast and mould counts (TYMC). Tests for the presence of pathogenic bacteria from the genus Salmonella and Listeria were also performed. Additionally, the pH and water activity were determined. The initial amount of TVC was 4.94 log CFU/g in meat samples and 4.80 log CFU/g in minced meat. After 14 days of storage, the TVC increased to 8.33 in meat samples and 8.08 log CFU/g in minced meat. Pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella were not found in the beaver meat tested. The microbiological state of meat stored frozen for 11 weeks was comparable to the state found in meat stored refrigerated for seven days regarding the number of microorganisms.

Introduction: The objective of the present research was to carry out a comparative assessment of copper, zinc, and selenium concentrations in the meat of edible land snails collected in Poland (Helix pomatia, Cornu aspersum maxima, and Cornu aspersum aspersum), as well as to determine the effect of preliminary processing of Roman snails (Helix pomatia) on the content of the aforementioned elements. Material and Methods: In the first stage, determinations were made on unprocessed snail meat. In the second stage, the study focused on Roman snails and consisted in an additional evaluation of frozen meat after full processing. Zinc and copper contents were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the selenium content was established by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The selenium content differed significantly among all three species. The copper content in Roman snails differed significantly from that in farmed snails. No significant difference in the zinc level was noted among the three snail species. The selenium content in raw and processed meat of Roman snails did not show any significant difference while the copper and zinc level was significantly higher in processed meat samples. Conclusion: The present research on the meat of edible snails showed different levels of selenium, copper, and zinc, depending on the species, collection site, and subjection to processing.

For many years Poland has been a highly recognized producer and supplier of Cornu aspersum (Cornu aspersum aspersum, Cornu aspersum maxima) and Helix pomatia snails in European markets. Exports include both live snails and snail-derived food products such as snail meat and eggs. Slime, used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, is another economically significant snail-derived product. This paper presents standardized terminology for farm snails and outlines regulations concerning snail farming, trade, processing plants and snail meat obtained. The current results of microbiological studies of snail meat obtained in Poland are shown as well. The analysis conducted in this paper indicates the need to clarify legislation, especially with regard to snail farming, and to elaborate regulations on snail meat processing....

Fish and other fishery products are subjected to the official sanitary-veterinary controls as required by Regulation (EC) No 854/2004. The aim of the study was to analyse the results of sanitary-veterinary examinations of fish in Poland in 2010–2016 conducted by the Veterinary Inspection. The results of the laboratory examination on fish were worked out based on the annual reports issued by the General Veterinary Inspectorate. The analysis of the results included the sanitary-veterinary examination of marine and farmed fish (salmonids, cyprinids and other fish species) carried out by the Veterinary Inspection. Moreover, the sanitary evaluation of samples of fish, seafood and their products on the basis of microbiological, chemical and sensory analysis results performed by the State Sanitary Inspection (PIS) were used. Throughout the analyzed period, a total of 1436109009.60 kg of fish were examined, in that 145711.71 kg (0.01%) were declared unfit for human consumption. The most important reasons for fish rejection proved to be parasite invasions (45.91% of the total amount of discarded fish), viral diseases (41.74%), bacterial diseases (9.71%) and the exceeded acceptable level of histamine (2.56%) and dioxins (0.07%). The sanitary examination of the food samples carried out by the PIS showed that the causes of rejection included the surpassed levels of food additives (2.3–2.7% of all the discarded samples) and chemical contaminants (1.4–2.4%) as well as abnormal microbiological and sensory tests results (0.1–1.2%). Summing up, the amount of fish rejected during the analyzed period was low which indicates the good quality of the obtained raw material..