Bacteriological quality of ready to eat food in four military restaurants

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah Institute of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Statistics & Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

  Aims: Random sampling and performing bacteriological tests are of the most important methods for examining the bacteriological quality of food s . The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality of ready-to-use food s and salad s in four restaurants affiliated to a military center in Tehran.   Methods: T his cross-sectional study was carried out in 2009. 288 food and salad samples from four restaurants affiliated to a military center were cho sen randomly and examined for Total Bacterial Count , Coliform bacteria , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella using standard methods. Results were analyzed by SPSS 15 software using descriptive statistical indices and A N OVA test.   Results: The highest Total Bacterial Count was detected in the samples of restaurant B and the highest Coliform bacteria , Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus contamination was detected in the samples of restaurant A. 5 samples had Escherichia coli contamination, but no salmonella contamination was observed in tested samples.   Conclusion: Bacterial contamination in some served foods and salads of the studied restaurants is more than standard level and regular control of these restaurants along with complementary studies is essential.

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