Abstract
Prevalence and incidence of foodborne illness in developing countries has risen in recent times as a result of increased demand for Ready-To- Eat (RTE) foods. The current study assessed the microbiological quality of khebab sold at selected areas within the Kumasi metropolis. A total of 36 khebab samples were purchased and analyzed for Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Coliforms Count (TCC) and Thermotolerant Coliforms Count (TTC). The results showed that the mean TVC, TCC and TTC in beef khebab at the different locations ranged from 6.91- 7.23 Log10 CFU/g, 7.25-9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 4.97-7.75 Log10 MPN/g respectively. For chevon khebab, it ranged from 6.83-7.25 Log10 CFU/g, 7.98 - 9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 6.61-8.81 Log10 MPN/g respectively. That of gizzard khebab ranged from 6.89-7.30 Log10 CFU/g, 7.98-9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 6.89-7.53 Log10 MPN/g respectively. The mean TVC, TCC and TTC for the beef khebab were not significant (p = 0.680, 0.055 and 0.070) respectively. For the chevon, the TVC and TCC were not significant (p = 0.547 and 0.121) respectively but that of the TTC was significant (p = 0.034). The mean TVC, TCC and TTC of the gizzard were not significant (p = 0.794, 0.056 and 0.822) respectively at the different locations. These mean microbial loads (TVC, TCC and TTC) in the khebab samples exceeded the standard acceptable limits (? 5 Log CFU/g and ? 2 Log10 MPN/g). Since the microbial loads exceeded the standard acceptable limits, it could put consumers at high risk of contracting foodborne infection. This result should prompt the relevant institutions responsible for ensuring food safety in the metropolis to strictly enforce the standard regulations on food safety practices as well as carry out adequate monitoring to avoid possible foodborne infections. Key words: Khebabs, total viable count, total coliforms count, thermotolerant coliforms count.
Highlights
Street food vending plays an important role in the financial growth of people living in the cities of Ghana and other developing nations (Osei Mensah et al, 2016)
Ready-To- Eat (RTE) khebab made from beef, chevon and gizzard were purchased from each vendor in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, Ayigya, Kotei, Ayeduase, Boadi and Kentinkrono
The results showed no significant differences (p = 0.680) among the mean total viable count (TVC) loads (Table 1)
Summary
Street food vending plays an important role in the financial growth of people living in the cities of Ghana and other developing nations (Osei Mensah et al, 2016). The total number of outpatients reported cases of foodborne infections in Ghana is about 420,000 per year, with an annual death rate estimated at 65,000 and total cost to the economy at $69 million (Graphic Online, 2015; Mahami and Odonkor, 2012; MOFA and World Bank, 2007). The problem of foodborne infection in developing countries is mainly due to failure of the street food vendors to comply with the standard guidelines during preparation of the food and secondary contamination after preparation (Feglo and Sakyi, 2012; Tavakoli, 2008). In the selected countries in USA and Europe, rates of death are as high as 3000 and 4654 annually (Scallan et al, 2011a, b; WHO, 2017)
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