Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control

en Microbiological Quality of commercial Soy Cheese (Tofu) Skewers and Determination of Critical Control Points during Production in the West Region of Cameroon تخصصي Special Original article Original article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: In several cities of Cameroon, the consumption of soy cheese skewers commonly known as “soybean soya” is becoming very common in the streets. Its consumption is increasing thereby encouraging its local production using household methods. Food contamination from processing to consumption is becoming a serious health concern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the microbiological quality of soy cheese skewers sold in some markets and the Critical Control Points (CCPs) in the production process. Methods: Samples were collected in June and August 2022 from different vendors, stored in sterile plastic laminas and placed in a pack containing ice and taken to the laboratory for the determination of the microbiological quality. In order to determine CCPs based on microbiological hazard, samples of slurry, soymilk, fresh soy cheese, stewed soy cheese, and stewed soy cheese skewers were collected from different producers at different production steps and analyzed for microbial contaminations. Results: Results of samples collected from the markets indicated Total Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria between 4.87 to 7.79 log Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g, where 86% of the samples were higher than the normal; yeast and mold counts ranged from 2.84 to 5.91 CFU/g; staphylococci, and total coliforms ranged from 0 to 5.17 and 0 to 2.37 log CFU/g, present in 59 and 72% of samples, respectively. Conclusion: Most commercial soy cheese skewer samples showed poor microbiological quality. To reduce these contaminations, preventive measures should be put in place at CCPs (stewing and packaging on skewers) to ensure the safety of food. DOI: 10.18502/jfqhc.11.1.14993</div> Soybean, Cheese, Contamination, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, Cameroon 26 38 http://jfqhc.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1622-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 E.N. Solefack 0009-0006-4162-8998 No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon B. Tiencheu tiencheu.bernard@ubuea.cm 0000-0001-8209-2954 Yes Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea-Cameroon R. Zokou No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon C.T. Tiwo No Department of Processing, and Quality Control of Aquatic Products, Institute of Fisheries, and Aquatic Sciences at Yabassi, University of Douala, P.O. Box 7236 Douala-Cameroon A.H.F. Kohole No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon G.B. Teboukeu No Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili- Cameroon S.H. Ndomou No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon, CRESA Forêt-Bois, Faculty of Agronomy, and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang P.O. Box 138, Yaoundé- Cameroon F.D. Tonfack No Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea-Cameroon J.M. Klang No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon M.H. Womeni No Research Unit of Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang-Cameroon