BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SOME READY-TO-EAT FOODS IN FAISALABAD

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out bacteriological quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in Faisalabad by ascertaining the bacteria contaminating various RTE foods through Aerobic Plate Count (APC) on nutrient agar and to count the different types of bacteria through APC on selective media for Staphylococci, E. coli and Salmonella. A total of 120 samples Dahee baray, goal gappay, fruit chat and patties were collected from different streets and school canteens in Faisalabad city between March and August, 2010. The most prevalent isolated bacteria from Dahee baray, goal gappay, fruit chat and patties were; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonells sp. The viable bacterial counts were 7.4x10 4 cfu/ml, 3 x 10 4 cfu/ml, 2.5 x 10 4 cfu/ml and 4 x 10 4 cfu/ml for Dahee baray, goal gappay, fruit chat and patties, respectively.