Background: The magnitude of food-borne illnesses in India is unknown because of lack of surveillance networks. Monitoring the prevalence of food-borne pathogens and indicators of contamination in primary production at abattoirs is imperative for creating a data bank and for effective control of such pathogens before they enter the food chain.
Methodology: Microorganisms of hygienic interest were screened for their prevalence at Deonar Abattoir, Mumbai.