The bacterial status of foodstuffs as indicator of potential food-borne diseases in Botshabelo, Section M

Abstract

Botshabelo, Section M, is characterised by a high incidence of diarrhoea, malnutrition and other food- and milk-related diseases. For this reason, 60 households were randomly selected in the area to partake in the study. The aim of the project was to isolate and quantify organism groups concomitant with possible food sources that might contribute to these irregularities in Section M. Micro-organisms studied included total mesophilic organisms. aerobic and anaerobic spore formers, coli forms, Escherichia coli, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds. Representative samples were collected from milk and prepared food, together with questionnaires covering the socio-economic status, food and milk purchases, as well as the availability of water, electricity and sanitation. Additional information was gathered from the local council and clinic. Two community workers were educated on the methods of sampling and the completion of questionnaires. These were collected over a period of 6 weeks, covering 10 households per week. The hygienic quality of milk was found to be considerably lower than that of food with the occurrence of E. coli as high as 105 cfu/ml. A high occurrence of spore formers, furthermore, indicated poor or inappropriate pasteurisation. Despite the fact that food showed lower microbiological values than milk, the standard of 100 cfu/cm2 set in South African legislation was, however, exceeded. The incidence of micro-organisms in food varied from 101cfu/cm2 to 107 cfu/cm2 in the sampled households. In both the food and milk samples, the microbial incidence showed an uneven distribution from one household to another. To establish comparisons between indicator organisms (total counts, coli forms and E. coli) with the other organisms isolated in food and milk, correlations were calculated between micro-organisms, food and milk. The traditional indicator organisms, however, showed poor relationships with each other. The Enterobacleriaceae correlated positively (r = 0,634) with the total mesophilic organisms, A strong correlation was found between the microbial incidence of food and milk (r = 0,991), which suggested that poor handling of food and milk by the consumer was the main source of contamination, rather than poor food and milk quality supplied by the suppliers. These results, together with similar fingerprint patterns of organisms in food and milk supported this proposal, The possibility of food- and milk-borne diseases can thus be reduced by good hygiene practices at home, micro-organisms, food and milk. The traditional indicator organisms, however, showed poor relationships with each other. The Enterobacteriaceae correlated positively (r = 0.634) with the total mesophilic organisms. A strong correlation was found between the microbial incidence of food and milk (r = 0.991), which suggested that poor handling of food and milk by the consumer was the main source of contamination, rather than poor food and milk quality supplied by the suppliers. These results, together with similar fingerprint patterns of organisms in food and milk supported this proposal. The possibility of food- and milk-borne diseases can thus be reduced by good hygiene practices at home.micro-organisms, food and milk. The traditional indicator organisms, however, showed poor relationships with each other. The Enterobacteriaceae correlated positively (r = 0.634) with the total mesophilic organisms. A strong correlation was found between the microbial incidence of food and milk (r = 0.991), which suggested that poor handling of food and milk by the consumer was the main source of contamination, rather than poor food and milk quality supplied by the suppliers. These results, together with similar fingerprint patterns of organisms in food and milk supported this proposal. The possibility of food- and milk-borne diseases can thus be reduced by good hygiene practices at home. micro-organisms, food and milk. The traditional indicator organisms, however, showed poor relationships with each other. The Enterobacteriaceae correlated positively (r = 0.634) with the total mesophilic organisms. A strong correlation was found between the microbial incidence of food and milk (r = 0.991), which suggested that poor handling of food and milk by the consumer was the main source of contamination, rather than poor food and milk quality supplied by the suppliers. These results, together with similar fingerprint patterns of organisms in food and milk supported this proposal. The possibility of food- and milk-borne diseases can thus be reduced by good hygiene practices at home.