Abstract
BackgroundThe street food sector has become an important component of the food distribution system in many cities in both developing and industrialised countries, particularly for midday meals. However, certain street food can pose a significant risk to consumers because of microbiological contamination.AimThe aim of this study was to determine the microbial levels of street foods and preparation surfaces in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.SettingThe study selected study setting was vending sites close to taxi ranks where prepared meals were accessible to consumers.MethodsThe study was conducted in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality during the winter season. Samples were collected through convenience sampling from the representative towns Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein. Using swabs, surface samples were collected and quantified from selective media. Eight beef samples were also collected; the microbial load on each sample was quantified and identified using a RapID kit.ResultsThe surface swabs obtained in Botshabelo (1.1 × 104 cfu/m2 – 1.1 × 106 cfu/m2) showed higher microbial counts as compared to those obtained in Bloemfontein (1.1 × 104 cfu/m2 – 1.1 × 105 cfu/m2) and Thaba Nchu (1.1 × 104 cfu/m2 – 1.1 × 105 cfu/m2). Higher microbial counts were observed on meat samples sampled in Thaba Nchu (50 cfu/g x 105 cfu/g), Bloemfontein (48 cfu/g x 104 cfu/g) and Botshabelo (33 cfu/g x 105 cfu/g) when compared to international microbiological standards. After assessing the microbial levels, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida guilliermondii, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus and Peptostreptococcus tetradius were identified.ConclusionThis study confirmed contamination of surfaces and food served by vendors in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The identified foodborne bacteria could pose a public health problem in each specific locality.
Highlights
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), about 2.5 billion people consume street food every day (Da Silva et al 2014)
Microbial counts from meat samples at Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo (Figure 1) were found to be higher when compared to the regulations governing microbiological standards for foodstuffs and related matters in South Africa, which stipulate that no person should sell meat for which the total colony count of organisms exceeds 10 000 per gram .The results showed the presence of Staphylococcus isolates (Figure 2), indicating that improper food handling practices, handling food with bare hands, reusing surfaces without cleaning first and not wearing aprons contributed to the presence of these foodborne pathogens
The meat obtained in Thaba Nchu, Bloemfontein and Botshabelo showed high microbial counts. These results are alarming when compared to the regulations governing microbiological standards for foodstuffs and related matters in South Africa, which stipulate that no person should sell meat for which the total colony count of organisms exceeds 10 000 per gram
Summary
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), about 2.5 billion people consume street food every day (Da Silva et al 2014). The demand to ensure the supply of safe food has been one of the major challenges and concerns for producers, consumers and public health officials globally (Da Silva et al 2014). This is because foods excessively contaminated with pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms are undesirable and can cause foodborne illnesses (Hertanto et al 2018). Contaminated foods can endanger public health by causing various acute and chronic foodborne illness through pathogenic microbes or toxic substances present in them (Nazni & Jaganathan 2014). Certain street food can pose a significant risk to consumers because of microbiological contamination
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