IJFSNPHT 2018 Volume 10 Issue 1
International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, Public Health and Technology (IJFSNPHT) ISSN: 0975 – 8712
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Microbiological Safety of Street Vended Foods in Mahendranagar, Farwestern Nepal. Madan Singh Bohara. IJFSNPHT (2018), 10(1):1-9
Title:
Microbiological Safety of Street Vended Foods in Mahendranagar, Farwestern Nepal
Authors & Affiliation:
Madan Singh Bohara
Faculty of Science and Technology, Farwestern University, Nepal
ABSTRACT:
Food safety problems are particularly becoming an increasingly serious threat to public health in developing countries. Microbial contamination of ready-to-eat foods sold by street vendors has become a global health problem. This study was conducted to assess microbiological safety of street vended foods from March to August, 2017 in Mahendranagar bazar. A cross-sectional design was used to answer questions concerning the current status of food hygiene and sanitation practice of street food vending sites. Interview and observational assessments were used to collect socio-demographic data about street food venders. Seventy one samples of street foods were aseptically collected from different six location of Mahendranagar bazar. The samples were analyzed by standard procedures within an hour of procurement. Both descriptive and analytical statistical methods were applied. The majority of the street food vendors were men, 53(75%), with the average age group of 31–40 years (48%) and mean age was 37 years. Twenty six (36%) street vendors were illiterate while rest of them received formal education up to secondary level. The majority 50 (70%) of vendors prepare food at home and 60 (85%) were mobile stall. All vendors had not any formal training and did not follow any food safety and personnel hygiene during food preparation and serving. Analysis of the food samples revealed high loads of bacterial pathogens such as total bacterial count, lactic acid bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp. and yeast. Total bacterial count in all the samples varied between 6.5 to 8.4 log cfu/g, LAB count were 0.8 to 5.2 log cfu/g, coliforms between 2.1to 5.2 log cfu/g, Bacillus between 3.0 to 7.2 log cfu/g, Staphylococcus areus was detected in all samples except vegetable momo and vegetable chaumein varies 0.6 to 5.0 log cfu/g. Salmonella spp. was also found in chicken momo and somosa. The yeast contamination was also found in all food samples except somosa and bread chop within the range 1.5 to 3.8 log cfu/g. This study revealed that there is a reasonable gap on food safety knowledge among street food venders. The microbial profile was also higher compared to standards set by the World Health Organization. Due attention should be given by the government to improve knowledge about food safety and the quality standard of street foods sold in the city.
Keywords: Bacteria, Food safety, Street vended foods, Mahendranagar, Microorganism