A Bacteriological Study of Mid day Meals Served and Hygiene Practices Maintained in Various Cr�ches of Chandigarh

GURPREET KAUR; MADHU KAUL

Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2014

A Bacteriological Study of Mid day Meals Served and Hygiene Practices Maintained in Various Cr�ches of Chandigarh

Gurpreet Kaur, Madhu Kaul

Abstract :

The present study was undertaken to assess the microbial load of mid day meals served at various 40 crèches of Chandigarh and nearby places. Food and swab samples were tested and E.coli was isolated from them. In various Crèches, total bacterial count of various food samples ranged between 9.3 × 103 CFU/ gm to 2.6 ×106 CFU/ ml, where as gram negative counts ranged from 1.1 × 102 CFU/ml to 7.9 × 106 CFU/ml. The counts in all types of crèches were within permissible limits. The results show highest values of mean for samples of water from various crèches. E.coli isolation was higher in swab samples (71.1%) as compared to food samples (46.6%). A total of 164 E.coli strains were isolated from various food and swab samples collected from different crèches, out of which 100 samples were tested for their virulence properties. E.coli isolates were subjected to Salt Aggregation Test (SAT) and Antibiotic sensitivity test. Chi square test was used and showed a significant relation between multi drug resistance and cell surface hydrophobicity. Hygiene practices followed by personnel in various crèches of Chandigarh and nearby places were surveyed. Knowledge of hygiene and sanitation was imparted through distribution of handouts and demonstration of effective hand washing steps to the workers in all the crèches