Situación actual de la calidad microbiológica de las tortillas producidas en las zonas norte y centro de México.

Objective: Evaluate the microbiological quality of corn tortillas and the hygienic-sanitary conditions in tortillerias in the central and northern areas of Mexico. Methodology: Tortilla samples were collected from six tortillerias in the cities of Pachuca, Hidalgo, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico City, Toluca, Estado de México, Querétaro, Querétaro, León, Guanajuato, San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco and Guadalajara, Jalisco from the central area and from the cities of Monterrey N.L., Delicias and Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, and Tijuana, Baja California Norte in the Northern area. Total coliforms (CT), aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), mold and yeasts (M&Y) were quantified by triplicate. Results: 13.7% of the tortillerias evaluated in the central area did not meet the microbiological quality established by Mexican regulation in their tortillas, detecting deficiencies in hygiene practices during the production, handling and storage of raw materials and the product ended (tortillas). In tortillas produced in the northern zone, CT was not detected and tortillerías exhibited good manufacturing practices during the production-marketing chain. Limitations: Not all tortilla producers collaborate to carry out sampling. Conclusions: Tortilla producers in the central area need training and implementation of good manufacturing practices in their process to improve microbiological quality and avoid consumer illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]