Microbiological and chemical analysis of land snails commercialised in Sicily

• Main Authors: Antonello Cicero, Giuseppe Giangrosso, Gaetano Cammilleri, Andrea Macaluso, Vittoria Currò, Lucia Galuppo, Daniela Vargetto, Domenico Vicari, Vincenzo Ferrantelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2015-05-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Food Safety
• Subjects: Snails; Heavy metals; Food microbiology
• Online Access: http://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/ijfs/article/view/4196

In this study 160 samples of snails belonging to the species <em>Helix aspersa maxima</em> and <em>Helix aspersa muller</em> were examined for chemical and microbiological analysis. Samples came from Greece and Poland. Results showed mean concentration of cadmium (0.35±0.036 mg/kg) and lead (0.05±0.013 mg/kg) much higher than the limit of detection. Mercury levels in both species were not detected. Microbiological analysis revealed the absence of <em>Salmonella</em> spp. and Clostridium spp. in both examined species. E. coli and K. oxytoca were observed in <em>Helix aspersa maxima</em> and <em>Helix aspersa muller</em>. Furthermore, one case of fungi positivity in samples of<em> Helix aspersa muller</em> was found. The reported investigations highlight the need to create and adopt a reference legislation to protect the health of consumers.