Microbiological Quality and Safety Assessment of Moron, a Traditional Filipino Delicacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32945/atr48115.2026Keywords:
Banana leaves, food safety, indigenous food, microbiological analysis, traditionalAbstract
Background: Cultural heritage is reflected not only in traditions and lifestyle but also in unique food products. Moron, a native delicacy from Leyte, Philippines, has been a staple food product for over two decades. Made from sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar, and tablea, and wrapped in banana leaves, it is commonly sold as pasalubong to locals and tourists.
Objective: This study investigated the microbiological quality and safety of moron.
Methods: Product and environmental samples were collected from selected food business operators (FBOs) in three locations across Leyte. Microbiological analyses were conducted and compared with standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines.
Results: Finished products showed acceptable levels of Bacillus cereus (2.30–2.41 log CFU g-1), Escherichia coli (after initial detection, <1.00 log CFU g-1), coliforms (2.41–4.15 log CFU g-1), and Staphylococcus aureus (<1.00–2.40 log CFU g-1). However, E. coli was detected on food contact (<1.00–2.48 log CFU g-1) and non-food contact surfaces (2.43–2.46 log CFU g-1). S. aureus was also detected on food (4.40 log CFU g-1) and non-food contact surfaces (4.15 log CFU g-1) in one FBO. Staphylococcus spp. was present in products and on surfaces (2.40 to >6.34 log CFU g-1). Salmonella spp. tested positive in all finished products and on food and non-food contact surfaces across all FBOs. Source tracing identified banana leaves as a contamination source due to inadequate sanitation during supplier wilting processes. Yeast, mold, aerobic plate count, and water quality met standards, but airborne microbial counts (2565–4314 CFU m-³) were unsatisfactory across all FBOs.
Conclusion: Improved hygiene practices, stricter supplier control, and proper sanitation of banana leaves are necessary to ensure the microbiological safety of moron.
References
Amazona, R. (2022). Leyte town seeks longer shelf life for local delicacy. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 12, 2024, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180871
Arayata, M. C. (2024). Salmonella cases in PH rise to 13K in 2023. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220063
Ashuro, Z., Diriba, K., Afework, A., Washo, G. H., Areba, A. S., Kanno, G. G., Hareru, H. E., Kaso, A. W., & Tesfu, M. (2022). Assessment of microbiological quality of indoor air at different hospital sites of Dilla University: A cross-sectional study. Environmental Health Insights, 16, 11786302221100047. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221100047
Azanza, M. P. V., Membrebe, B. N. Q., Sanchez, R. G. R., Estilo, E. E. C., Dollete, U. G. M., Feliciano, R. J., & Garcia, N. K. A. (2019). Foodborne disease outbreaks in the Philippines (2005–2018). Philippine Journal of Science, 148(2), 317–336. https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/foodborne-disease-outbreaks-in-the-philippines-2005-2018/
Cassar, J. R. (2023, March 16). Air sampling in food manufacturing facilities. HACCP Assurance. Retrieved May 25, 2024, from https://www.haccpassurance.com/2023/03/16/air-sampling-in-food-manufacturing-facilities/
Ceuppens, S., Boon, N., & Uyttendaele, M. (2013). Diversity of Bacillus cereus group strains is reflected in their broad range of pathogenicity and diverse ecological lifestyles. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 84(3), 433–450. https://doi.org/10.1111/1574-6941.12110
Department of Health. (2004). Revised guidelines on current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, packing, repacking, or holding food (Administrative Order No. 153-2004). Republic of the Philippines. https://elsmar.com/pdf_files/Philippines%20AO153s2004%20GMPs.pdf
Department of Health. (2017). Philippine national standards for drinking water of 2017 (Administrative Order No. 2017-0010). Republic of the Philippines. https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Administrative-Order-No.-2017-0010.pdf
Department of Health. (2020). Guidelines on the Implementation of the Food and Waterborne Diseases Prevention and Control Program (Administrative Order No. 2020-0027). Republic of the Philippines. https://law.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DOH-AO-No-2020-0027.pdf
Department of Trade and Industry. (2022). 2022 Philippine MSME statistics in brief. https://dtiwebfiles.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/MSME+Resources/2022+Philippine+MSME+Statistics+in+Brief.pdf
Food and Drug Administration Philippines. (2022). Guidelines on the microbiological requirements and assessment of certain prepackaged processed food products repealing FDA Circular No. 2013-010 entitled “Revised guidelines for the assessment of microbiological quality of processed foods” (Circular No. 2022-012). Department of Health. https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-circular-no-2022-012-guidelines-on-the-microbiological-requirements-and-assessment-of-certain-prepackaged-processed-food-products-repealing-fda-circular-no-2013-010-entitled-revised-g/
Gabieta, J. A. (2025). Suspected food poisoning downs over 110 students in Palompon, Leyte. Inquirer Visayas. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2129487/suspected-food-poisoning-downs-over-110-students-in-palompon-leyte
Golic, B., Kašagić, D., Pecanac, B., & Knežević, D. (2023). Microbiological status of water in the food industry. ResearchGate. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bojan-Golic/publication/373165924_MICROBIOLOGICAL_STATUS_OF_WATER_IN_THE_FOOD_INDUSTRY/links/64ddb21766f0e0067d9ff61a/MICROBIOLOGICAL-STATUS-OF-WATER-IN-THE-FOOD-INDUSTRY.pdf
Hay, V. (2023). Efficacy of cleaning and sanitation methods in reducing foodborne pathogens on common food contact surfaces in Cambodian fresh food markets (Master’s thesis, Kansas State University). K-State Research Exchange. https://krex.k-state.edu/items/de4d1c27-b76a-4763-b850-687eaf6ab037
Jeong, S. H., Lee, S. H., Jung, J. Y., Choi, E. J., & Jeon, C. O. (2013). Microbial succession and metabolite changes during long-term storage of kimchi. Journal of Food Science, 78(5), M763–M769. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12095
Leyte’s Native Delicacies. (2024, June 10). Moron comes from a local term “minoron” which means manually blended using “moronillo” [Instagram post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5_N7cp7al/?hl=en
Lee, U. S., & Kwon, S. C. (2014). The study on the microbiological limitation standards setting of handmade rice cake by steam processing. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 15(7), 4310–4317. https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2014.15.7.4310
Lutpiatina, L. (2021). Pathogens transmitted through contaminated rice. In Rice. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93757
Meniano, S. (2021). Region 8 MSMEs back to face-to-face trade fair. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153785
Morasi, R. M., Rall, V. L. M., Dantas, S. T. A., Alonso, V. P. P., & Silva, N. C. C. (2022). Salmonella spp. in low water activity food: Occurrence, survival mechanisms, and thermoresistance. Journal of Food Science, 87(6), 2310–2323. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16152
Perricone, M., Gallo, M., Corbo, M. R., Sinigaglia, M., & Bevilacqua, A. (2017). Chapter 5 -Yeasts. In The microbiological quality of food (pp. 121–131). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100502-6.00008-X
Popa, G. L., & Papa, M. I. (2021). Salmonella spp. infection—A continuous threat worldwide. Germs, 11(1), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2021.1244
Republic of the Philippines. (1975). Code on sanitation (Presidential Decree No. 856). https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/26/15313
Schwan, C., Desiree, K., Bello, N. M., Bastos, L., Hok, L., Phebus, R. K., Gragg, S., Kastner, S., & Vipham, J. L. (2021). Prevalence of Salmonella enterica isolated from food contact and nonfood contact surfaces in Cambodian informal markets. Journal of Food Protection, 84(1), 73–79. https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-20-112
Schneider, K. R., Schneider, R. G., Silverberg, R., Kurdmongkoltham, P., & Bertoldi, B. (2004). Preventing foodborne illness: Bacillus cereus. University of Florida IFAS Extension. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Preventing-Foodborne-Illness-Bacillus-cereus.pdf
Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology. (2013). Empowering SMEs in applying food safety standards. In Proceedings from workshop “Best practices on educating food safety standards to SMEs” final report proceedings (APEC Project M CTI 03/2012A – SCSC). Bogor Agricultural University. https://www.apec.org/docs/default-source/publications/2013/6/workshop-best-practices-on-educating-food-safety-standards-to-smes/2013-cti_scsc_educating-food-safety.pdf
Steiner, L., & Neathway, C. (2019). Indigenous food safety and security: Community adaptations in the wake of climate pressures. National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. https://ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Indigenous%20Food%20Safety%20and%20Security%20-%20Feb%202019%20-%20EN.pdf
Tewari, A., Singh, S. P., & Singh, R. (2015). Incidence and enterotoxigenic profile of Bacillus cereus in meat and meat products of Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(3), 1796–1801. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-013-1162-0
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Quick guide to drinking water sample collection (2nd ed.). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/drinking_water_sample_collection.pdf
Wang, J., Park, J. H., Choi, N. J., Ha, S. D., & Oh, D. H. (2016). Microbiological analysis of rice cake processing in Korea. Journal of Food Protection, 79(1), 157–162. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-15-237
Downloads
Submitted
Accepted
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Annals of Tropical Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
