Global prevalence of pathogens isolated from butter and cream samples derived from milk - a systematic review with meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2026v47n1p255Keywords:
Butter, Fresh cream, Foodborne pathogens, Food safety.Abstract
Microbiological contamination occurring in the milk production chain represents a significant challenge for public health, especially in dairy products such as butter and cream. In this context, and considering the socioeconomic and nutritional relevance of these foods, it is essential to understand the risks involved and to seek effective control strategies. This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in butter and cream. The research involved five bibliographic databases and initially included 1,275 articles. After applying the exclusion criteria, 21 articles from countries such as Brazil, India, Egypt, Ireland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Sweden were included, encompassing regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The PRISMA guidelines were used for data selection and analysis. The results highlighted the presence of Escherichia coli and species of Listeria, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas in both types of samples, in addition to specific isolates such as Klebsiella spp. in cream and Salmonella spp. in butter. Variability in isolation and confirmation methods was identified. The research showed that hygienic failures and inadequacies in transport and storage are critical factors associated with contamination. The findings reinforce the need for standardization of microbiological analysis methods and for more efficient surveillance strategies. The low representation of continents such as North America and Oceania points to important gaps in the literature. Thus, the implementation of public policies to minimize health risks is necessary, promoting the safety of widely consumed dairy products.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Giliel Rodrigues Leandro, Fernanda Augusta de Andrade Medeiros Araújo, Mikaely Giordanno Medeiros de Araújo, Clécio Henrique Limeira, Mônica Adriana Araújo de Souza, Rosália Severo de Medeiros, Sergio Santos Azevedo, Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos
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