o:8670 Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops en This study presents a comprehensive microbiological assessment of process hygiene in 49 retail food shops over four years (January 2021 to December 2024). A total of 613 swabs from food contact surfaces and 303 swabs from food handlers’ hands were analyzed to evaluate compliance with hygiene standards. Results indicated a gradual improvement in hygiene practices, with non-compliant food contact surfaces decreasing from 6.42% in 2022 to 3.30% in 2024, attributed to enhanced training and sanitation protocols. Additionally, 2.97% of food handlers’ hands were non-compliant according to swab counts, primarily due to elevated aerobic colony counts, with non-compliance rates of 5.45% in 2021, 7.27% in 2022, and a decrease to 1.94% in 2024. The findings underscore the importance of continu- ous monitoring and targeted interventions to mitigate microbial contamination risks. Despite progress, challenges remain in maintaining optimal hygiene standards, emphasizing the need for ongoing training and adherence to hygiene protocols within the retail food sector to protect public health and prevent foodborne illnesses. Future research should focus on the long-term efficacy of training programs and sanitation practices to establish best practices for the industry. Process hygiene, Microbiological assessment, Swabs, Retail food shops 1552099 10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.98 2025-12-10T07:59:59.115Z 44 yes 46 Jelena Jovanović Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0301-729X Mirjana Lukić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7749-864X Mladen Rašeta Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9860-6681 Boris Mrdović Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9964-4317 Ivana Branković Lazić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5844-9278 Aleksandra Nikolić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0012-3418 Jelena Babić Milijašević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Longitudinal microbiological evaluation of hygiene practices in retail food shops person https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8923-7046 application/pdf 401968 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8670 no yes 16 70 92000001 71A01 Meat technology - Special Issue 66/3 2025 1-576 66 3 561 565 Kaćanskog 13, 11 000 Belgrade Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology 2025-12-01 www.journalmeattechnology.com