Food poisoning is a public health problem, because it can show up in any population being more prevalent in people whose immune system is compromised, pregnant women, and the elderly. According to the obtained data, 80% of the positive results for Listeria spp showed Listeria monocytogenes and 20% presented Listeria innocua. This indicates a prevalence of the pathogenic species for humans, thus augmenting the risk for people to suffer from gastrointestinal and/or systemic disease especially in the population mentioned above. In the same way, it was determined that 100% of the cheese showed some microbial contamination. Information about the cheese elaboration and storing processes was collected and, in the same way, the manner food was handled in stores was observed.
keywords:
food poisoning, gastrointestinal disseases, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, mastitis.
