Efficacy of low-pressure foam cleaning compared to conventional cleaning methods in the removal of bacteria from surfaces associated with convenience food

Published ArticleFood borne illnesses and food poisoning are cause for concern globally. The diseases are often caused by food contamination with pathogenic bacteria due largely to poor sanitary habits or storage conditions. Objectives: Prevalence of some bacteria on cleaned and sanitised food contact surfaces from eight convenience food plants in Gauteng (South Africa) was investigated with the view to evaluate the efficacy of the cleaning methods used with such food contact surfaces. Methods: The microbial load of eight convenience food manufacturing plants was determined by sampling stainless steel food contact surfaces after they had been cleaned and sanitised at the end of a day’s shift. Samples were analysed for Total Plate Count (TPC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria species. Results: Results showed that 59 % of the total areas sampled for TPC failed to comply with the legal requirements for surfaces, according to the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act ( 0.05) in terms of Listeria species isolates obtained from both cleaning methods. The LPF method proved to be the superior cleaning option for lowering TPC counts. Conclusion: Regardless of cleaning method used, pathogens continued to flourish on various surfaces, including dry stainless steel, posing a contamination hazard for a considerable period depending on the contamination level and type of pathogen. Intensive training for proper chemical usage and strict procedural compliance among workers for efficient cleaning procedures is recommended

Bacterial contamination of the hands of food handlers as indicator of hand washing efficacy in some convenient food industries

Published ArticleHands of ready-to-eat food service employees have been shown to be vectors in the spread of foodborne disease, mainly because of poor personal hygiene and accounting for approximately 97% of food borne illnesses in food service establishments and homes. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of hand washing practices and sanitation before commencing work among food handlers in the convenient food industry in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: A total of 230 samples were collected, involving 100% of the food handlers, in 8 selected convenient food outlets with their main focus on preparing ready-to-eat foods. The workers’ cleaned and disinfected dominant hands were sampled for Total Plate Count (TPC), Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Bacteria were isolated and counted using standard methods. Results: The highest bacterial count from the hand samples was 7.4 x 103 cfu.cm-2 and the lowest showed no detectable growth. Although hands with a count of 0 cfu.cm-2 were found in all of the plants, the results indicated that all the plants exceeded the legal limit for food surfaces or hands of < 100 cfu.cm-2 when the average bacterial counts on hands were compared. Sixty percent of the TPC analysed exceeded the legal limit and only 18% of the food handlers had no bacteria detectable on their hands. One sample tested positive for E. coli and S. aureus could not be detected on the hands of any of the food handlers. Conclusion: The study revealed that hand hygiene is unsatisfactory and may have serious implications for public health due to contamination of food from food handlers’ hands. This therefore underlined the importance of further training to improve food handlers’ knowledge of good hand washing practices

Impact of effluent from gudu district sewage treatment plant on gudu stream in Abuja, Nigeria.

Gudu stream, the major stream providing water for Durumi 1, Durumi 2 and Durumi 3 settlements of Gudu District in Abuja, Nigeria was studied for impact assessment of discharged effluent from the Gudu District wastewater treatment plant. Studies on the physicochemical properties of the stream revealed high concentration of contaminants at the point of effluent discharge (IP) and upstream (USP). The effluent had no effect on the temperature of the stream at all points sampled (27\ub0C). Bacteriological analysis revealed the most probable number (MPN) to be highest at USP ( 651800/100ml) and EP ( 651700/100ml), followed by that of DSP (1000/100ml) and the least value was obtained at IP (750/100ml). Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi , S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas aerugenosa . Escherichi coli, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri were the prevalent bacteria isolated at all the points sampled

Impact of Effluent from Gudu District Sewage Treatment Plant on Gudu Stream in Abuja, Nigeria

Gudu stream, the major stream providing water for Durumi 1, Durumi 2 and Durumi 3 settlements of Gudu District in Abuja, Nigeria was studied for impact assessment of discharged effluent from the Gudu District wastewater treatment plant. Studies on the physicochemical properties of the stream revealed high concentration of contaminants at the point of effluent discharge (IP) and upstream (USP). The effluent had no effect on the temperature of the stream at all points sampled (27oC). Bacteriological analysis revealed the most probable number (MPN) to be highest at USP ( 651800/100ml) and EP ( 651700/100ml), followed by that of DSP (1000/100ml) and the least value was obtained at IP (750/100ml). Escherichi coli , Salmonella typhi , S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas aerugenosa . Escherichi coli, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri were the prevalent bacteria isolated at all the points sampled

Impact of effluent from gudu district sewage treatment plant on gudu stream in Abuja, Nigeria.

Gudu stream, the major stream providing water for Durumi 1, Durumi 2 and Durumi 3 settlements of Gudu District in Abuja, Nigeria was studied for impact assessment of discharged effluent from the Gudu District wastewater treatment plant. Studies on the physicochemical properties of the stream revealed high concentration of contaminants at the point of effluent discharge (IP) and upstream (USP). The effluent had no effect on the temperature of the stream at all points sampled (27°C). Bacteriological analysis revealed the most probable number (MPN) to be highest at USP (≥1800/100ml) and EP (≥1700/100ml), followed by that of DSP (1000/100ml) and the least value was obtained at IP (750/100ml). Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi , S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas aerugenosa . Escherichi coli, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri were the prevalent bacteria isolated at all the points sampled

Impact of Effluent from Gudu District Sewage Treatment Plant on Gudu Stream in Abuja, Nigeria

Gudu stream, the major stream providing water for Durumi 1, Durumi 2 and Durumi 3 settlements of Gudu District in Abuja, Nigeria was studied for impact assessment of discharged effluent from the Gudu District wastewater treatment plant. Studies on the physicochemical properties of the stream revealed high concentration of contaminants at the point of effluent discharge (IP) and upstream (USP). The effluent had no effect on the temperature of the stream at all points sampled (27oC). Bacteriological analysis revealed the most probable number (MPN) to be highest at USP (≥1800/100ml) and EP (≥1700/100ml), followed by that of DSP (1000/100ml) and the least value was obtained at IP (750/100ml). Escherichi coli , Salmonella typhi , S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas aerugenosa . Escherichi coli, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, Shigella flexnerri were the prevalent bacteria isolated at all the points sampled