STUDIES ON MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF READY TO EAT FOOD FROM SOLAN CITY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

A microbiological study of ready to eat food samples using validated methods was performed on ten different types of samples from Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The qualitative analysis of samples revealed the presence of several bacterial and fungal species. Bacterial species identified were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus and fungal species were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria .Quantitative analysis of food samples were done on the basis of total viable count. The bacterial load of food samples obtained ranges from 5.5x 106 to 13.8 x 107cfu/mL or gram and the fungal load ranges from 2.2x106 to 4.8x106cfu/mL or gram. Results indicated that microbiological recommendation by food quality check program for ready to eat food should be adopted. Three samples showed satisfactory results and seven samples showed unsatisfactory results. Sandwich sample showed the highest microbial load (13.8x107cfu/gm). This study on microbiology of ready to eat food suggested that there is need to improve on hygienic practices in public food services in order to obtain relatively safe products for consumption. Most of the ready to eat food samples examined did not met microbiological standards, food samples which were near to expiry date were found to be more contaminated as compared to other.