Prevalence & Serotype of Salmonella in Retail Foods in Southeast Asia: Review Article

Abstract

Foodborne diseases, particularly those caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, remain a major public health problem in Southeast Asia. The high prevalence of Salmonella in retail foods reflects weaknesses in the food supply chain, hygiene practices, and weak surveillance systems. Understanding the distribution of prevalence, dominant serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance patterns is essential to support food safety interventions in this region. This review article synthesizes various studies reporting the prevalence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella in retail foods in Southeast Asia. Data sources include animal products (pork, chicken, beef, seafood) and plant products (fresh vegetables) sold in traditional markets, supermarkets, and other distribution chains. Research results were compiled to identify regional patterns, main risk factors, and their implications for food safety. The review results show that the highest prevalence of Salmonella is found in animal products, particularly pork (up to 92.6%) and chicken (>60%), while fresh vegetables have a lower prevalence (20–40%). Dominant serotypes include S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium, with local variations such as S. Rissen, S. Weltevreden, and S. Kentucky. Main risk factors include poor sanitation in traditional markets, weak cold chain distribution, use of contaminated irrigation water, and raw food consumption habits. Antimicrobial resistance patterns show high resistance to older antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim), with a trend of emerging resistance to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins. These findings confirm the need to strengthen food safety systems in traditional markets and the informal sector, enhance serotype and resistance surveillance, control antibiotic use in livestock, and foster cross-country cooperation to prevent the spread of Salmonella in the Southeast Asian region.