Preliminary studies on local and imported beef minced beef chicken pieces, minced chicken meat and internal organs of poultry from wet markets and supermarkets were carried out and analysed for the presence q/Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was isolated by direct plating on Palcam agar and with selective and cold enrichment at 37* and 4°Cin L-Palcamy enrichment broth. Whole chickens and the equipment used for processing of poultry were also swabbed and examinedfor the presence ofthe organism. L. monocytogenes was detected in 6/16 imported and 3/6 local beef samples. Out of 16 poultry samples which were obtained from four different wet markets, six contained L. monocytogenes. Beef samples obtained from supermarkets were negativeforL. monocytogenes but the organism was detectedin three of four imported minced beef, and two of fourlocal minced beefsamples!,, monocytogenes was also detected in three of the four chicken samples; two of fourminced samples and one of four organs which were obtained from supermarkets. Chicken carcasses from wet market A were negativeforL. monocytogenes but this was not true for chicken carcasses from wet market B because 15 out of 24 werepositiveforL. monocytogenes. No. L. monocytogenes was detected from the equipment in wet market A, but equipment in wet market B was positive for the organism. Theseresults suggest that retailing meats which have been processed for many hours favour growth ofL. monocytogenes and also enhance cross-contamination.