The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has expressed concern about the "unsatisfactory" quality of pre-cooked sliced ham and pre-prepared rice on sale in retail and catering outlets.
FSAI microbiology testing last year found that 13 per cent of samples of precooked sliced ham were classified as "unsatisfactory" for aerobic colony count (ACT), while 22.6 per cent of rice samples had unsatisfactory levels of ACT.
In addition, the FSAI 2003 national microbiology surveillance programme found that 4 per cent of the samples of sliced ham were unsatisfactory for Enterobacteriaceae, that is 24 of the 615 samples tested.
Some 14.6 per cent of pre-prepared rice samples were positive for Enterobacteriaceae. High levels of these bacterial species can cause food poisoning.
The report said the results clearly highlighted the need for more emphasis on control strategies including process control, good hygiene practices and food temperatures.
The cooked sliced ham tested was obtained from retail premises, and all samples were prepacked in processing plants.
The report added that 0.6 per cent of samples were classified as unsatisfactory for B.cereus while 1.2 per cent were classified as unacceptable/potentially hazardous.
Information on storage conditions were provided with three of the six samples considered unacceptable/potentially hazardous.
"Two of these samples were stored at ambient temperature despite being cooked 12-24 hours previously. These conditions may have enhanced the proliferation of B. cereus cells," the report said.