Investigation of Microbial Quality in Ready-to-Eat Food from Cafeterias of Thammasat University at Rangsit Centre
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the microbial quality in the ready-to-eat food using the microbiological food quality criterion, which determines coliform content, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli using the most probable number (MPN) method. By collecting ready-to-eat food samples from cafeterias of Thammasat University at Rangsit Centre, the samplings were 4 categories of foodstuff, i.e., food that goes through a lot of heat, food over medium heat, food that does not pass heat, and beverages. A total of 120 samples, 30 of each category, were collected from October to December 2016. The analysis showed that 114 (95 %) samples ready-to-eat food did not meet the criteria. Food over medium heat and beverages showed the highest number of 30 (100 %) samples, followed by food that has not been heat-treated 28 (93.33 %), and food that goes through a lot of heat 26 (86.67 %) samples. This research suggests that ready-to-eat foods that are sold can carry pathogens. Therefore, measures should be taken regarding food sanitation and personal hygiene of workers to avoid contamination.
Article Details
References
Bureau of Epidemiology Department of Disease Control, 2011, Report of Diseases in the Surveillance System 506 Diarrhea, Available source: http://www.boe.moph.go.th, Jan 27, 2012. (in Thai)
Chomvarin, C., Chantarasuk, Y., Srigulbutr, S., Chareo nsudjai, S. and Chaicumpar, K., 2006, Enteropathogenic bacteria and enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus isolated from ready-to-eat foods in Khon Kaen, Thailand, Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health 37: 983-990.
AOAC., 1998, Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), 8th Ed., Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC.
American Public Health Association, 1995, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington DC.
Department of Medical Sciences, 2017, Quality Criteria Microbiology of Food and Food Contact Containers, Available Source: http;//e-library.dmsc.moph.go.th/ebooks/files/micro-ISBN60.pdf, August 24, 2017. (in Thai)
Sornprasit, S., 2004, Food quality and safety in provincial supermarkets Songkhla province, J. Food Drug Admin. 1(11): 39-46. (in Thai)