Milk and meat safety in Nepal: addressing challenges and exploring solutions

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Zoonotic diseases transmitted via animal-derived food are a global health concern.
• Contaminated milk and meat are primary transmission routes for foodborne pathogens.
• Rising consumption of animal products in Nepal increases foodborne illness risk due to bacterial contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the prevalence, distribution, and public health impact of key bacterial pathogens in Nepalese milk and meat.
• To identify factors contributing to bacterial contamination in food products.
• To recommend strategies for mitigating risks associated with bacterial zoonotic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature.
• Analysis of bacterial contamination data in milk and meat products from Nepal.
• Identification of contributing factors and risk assessment.

Main Results:

• Identified prevalence of major bacterial pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, S. aureus, Brucella, B. cereus, M. tuberculosis, and Campylobacter.
• Highlighted inadequate hygiene, weak regulations, poor infrastructure, improper antibiotic use, and low public awareness as key contributing factors.
• Confirmed high levels of bacterial contamination and emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for strategic interventions to improve food safety in Nepal.
• Recommended measures include enhanced hygiene, stronger regulations, improved infrastructure, public education, and antibiotic stewardship.
• Implementation is vital to protect public health and reduce zoonotic disease risks.