నైరూప్య

Bacteriological Analysis and Hygine Level of Food Outlets within Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Ibrahim TA, Akenroye OM and Osabiya OJ

The bacteriological quality of three major food outlets in Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, was assessed using standard bacteriological methods. Swabs of hands of food vendors, table and plates in these outlets were assessed for total bacterial count, total coliform count and total E. coli count. A total of 789 bacterial colonies were isolated from hands of food handlers, tables and plates used for eating in the outlets. Eleven genera of bacteria were isolated and identified, they were; klebsiella sp, Enterobacter sp , Staphylococcus sp, Proteus sp, E. coli Salmonella sp, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Streptococcus sp and Serratia sp when their morphology and biochemical characteristics were compared with standard reference organisms. The presence of these bacterial isolates has been attributed to ineffective washing technique , rare changing of water used for washing plates and poor personal hygiene of the food handlers which could be enhanced by regular monitoring and supervision of the canteens by the authorities on food safety practices and regular education on food and personal hygiene.