Tested gizzards show ‘no evidence’ of salmonella – Scientists

Scientists at the Department of Biotechnology of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University for Development Studies, UDS Nyankpala Campus have analyzed gizzards in the Tamale Metropolis and found no evidence of contamination.

The news though reassuring is not a complete guarantee of the safety of gizzards in the region.

News reports that salmonella infested gizzards from Brazil found their way onto the Ghanaian market created considerable fear and panic and had a negative impact on the suya industry across the country.

The scientists sampled twenty out of the thirty-nine cold stores in the Tamale metropolis, taking gizzards imported from Brazil, Turkey and the United Kingdom (UK).

The salmonella infested gizzards were reportedly coming from Brazil, but laboratory analysis found no evidence of contamination of Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E.coli) in the twenty samples.

In an interview with GBC’s Radio Ghana at Nyankpala, one of the scientists, Dr. Courage Saba said though the news is reassuring, it does not remove completely the risk of salmonella since the scientists cannot guarantee the safety of all consignments.

He advised the public to maintain basic hygienic practices such as regular hand washing.