Keropok lekor is a popular Terengganu heritage traditional snack and its microbiological safety is one of the important aspects should be of concern. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess microbiological status of keropok lekor, and its production premises in Kuala Terengganu and Marang. A total of 136 samples were collected randomly from eight premises (in three replicates) comprising of raw materials, food contact surfaces and ready to eat (RTE). All samples were analysed for aerobic plate count (APC), total coliforms (TC) count, Escherichia coli and detection of foodborne pathogens. Results showed that the APC and TC count in raw materials (fish flesh, sago starch, ice, dough and chilli paste) ranged from below the detection limit (< 1.0 log(10) CFU/g) to 6.7 log(10) CFU/g and 4.6 log(10) CFU/g, respectively. While, food contact surfaces have the APC and TC in the range of < 1.0 to 6.4 log(10) CFU/cm(2) and < 1.0 to 4.1 log(10) CFU/cm(2), respectively. The food handlers hand swabs had APC and TC counts between 2.2 to 6.4 log(10) CFU/cm(2) and < 1.0 to 4.4 log(10) CFU/cm(2), respectively. RTE keropok lekor and dipping sauce contained APC in 1.8 to 5.5 log(10) CFU/g and < 1.0 to 5.1 log(10) CFU/g range, respectively. TC was detected as unsatisfactory level (> 1.7 lo g(10) CFU/g) in three keropok lekor samples. E. coli was found in 10.29% of samples and all of them were non-diarrheagenic serotypes. Two RTE keropok lekor and display containers were contaminated with E. coli. Coagulase positive staphylococci, Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were detected in four, two and one samples, respectively, with none of them found to have Vibrio cholerae and Listeria monocytogenes. High prevalence of indicator organisms in food contact surfaces and food handlers hand indicated that hygiene practices were not well implemented. The unsatisfactory levels of presence of APC, TC and E. coli in RTE keropok lekor also described cross contamination due to inadequate hygiene practices after cooking process.

The microbiological quality of thirty ready-to-eat (RTE) keropok lekor (a sausage shape Malaysian fish product) was evaluated in comparison to microbiological guidelines for ready to eat foods. The two E. coli isolates were subjected to DNA sequencing, identified and tested for their resistance towards fifteen different antibiotics. The survival and growth of the isolated E. coli strains inoculated in keropok lekor at atmospheric air and vacuum packaging were also evaluated. Results revealed that four samples (13.33%) contained Enterobacteriaceae counts that exceeded the recommended allowable counts of 4.0 log(10) CFU/g. Unsatisfactory level of coliforms (> 1.7 log(10) CFU/g) was also observed in ten of the samples; two of which contained E. coli (2.1 +/- 0.17 and 3.7 +/- 0.02 log(10) CFU/g), suggesting of poor hygiene and sanitation practices. While the 'Possible E10' E. coli strain was observably resistant towards Nalidixic acid (30 mu g) alone, B10 E. coli isolate was worryingly resistant towards Ampicillin (10 mu g), Ceftazidime (30 mu g), Ciprofloxacin (5 mu g), Ceftriaxone (30 mu g), Nalidixic acid (30 mu g) and Tetracycline (30 mu g). This study also revealed that the growth and survival of the 'Possible E10' and B10 E. coli strains were not significantly affected by vacuum packaging when stored at both 4 degrees C and 28 degrees C. Therefore, intervention programmes to alert and educate small-medium enterprisers (SMEs) of keropok lekor producers on food safety as well as potential health risks that can be associated due to inappropriate handling procedures of such product, merits consideration.