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Short Communication
Bacteriological Analysis of Street Foods in Pune
Sushil K. Chumber1, *K. Kaushik2, S. Savy3
Summary
This study aimed to analyze the bacteriological profile of street foods sold in various parts of
Pune city. A total of 75 randomly collected food samples were included in the study. Samples
were processed for the presence of bacterial pathogens only. 88% of the food samples analyzed
confirmed the presence of bacterial pathogens, indicating the need for stricter implementation of
food sanitation practices to reduce the possible risk of transmission of infection on consumption
of these foods. Other aspects related to the trade of street foods in the city like the age and sex
profile of food vendors, educational status and the hygienic aspects involved in the preparation,
selling and consumption of these items were also reviewed.
Street foods are defined as a variety of ready-toeat foods and beverages prepared and sold by vendors
in streets and other public places for immediate
consumption. Selling street foods is an important
occupation in many cities particularly in developing
countries. The consumption of street foods is also
common in these countries where unemployment is
high, salaries are low, work opportunities limited and
where rapid urbanization is taking place1. There is a
general perception that street vended foods are unsafe,
mainly because of the environment under which they
are prepared and consumed which exposes them to
numerous potential contaminants. Street food vendors
usually take their products to their customers and
therefore operate from public places and street corners
where they find numerous clients. These locations
usually do not meet the food safety requirements2. A
large number of eccremental diseases are spread
through the consumption of these foods. Thus, the
hygienic aspects involved in the preparation, selling
and consumption of these items are a major source of
concern. Food borne illness is a major public health
problem and an important cause of reduced economic
growth3. Hence, a study was undertaken to analyse
the bacteriological profile of street foods in Pune, India.
Vendors from all the major roads of the city were
contacted on the particular day of data collection and
the number came out to be 75. When the vendors
were selling only one type of food, that was taken for
1Reader, 2Post Graduate Student, 3Research Trainee, Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical College,
Pune. *Corresponding author: mahakaro@yahoo.com
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Frequency (n=75)
Age (years)
<30
30-39
40-49
50
23 (30.66)
21(28)
21(28)
10 (13.34)
Sex
Male
Female
73(97.33)
2(2.67)
Education
Primary school
Secondary school
No education
22 (29.33)
8(10.67)
45(60)
Personal hygiene
Hands washed less than three times daily
Hands washed more than three times daily
Hands not washed throughout the day
Clean clothes
Fingernails cut
Hair covered
13 (17.34)
56 (74.66)
6(8)
35 (46.66)
37(49.33)
0(0)
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No.
No.
Complement of
tested positive Bacteria isolated
Agra Petha
Bhel Puri
4
15
2
13
Badam Milkshake
Chicken Biryani
Fried Rice
1
5
6
1
3
6
Kacchi Dabeli
(Local dish)
Missal Pav
Mutton Gravy
Noodles
Pani Puri
1
5
12
1
5
10
Sugarcane juice
Vada Pav
Total
75
63
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas, E.coli
Staphylococcus aureus,
E.coli
E.coli
Pseudomonas, E.coli,
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus,
Pseudomonas
Enterobacter aerogenes,
Staphylococcus aureus,
Pseudomonas
E.coli
Klebsiella aerogenes, E.coli
Staphylococcus aureus,
Klebsiella aerogenes,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E.coli,
Staphylococcus aureus,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E.coli, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
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3.
4.
5.
6.
References:
1.
2.
7.
Attention
This is to remind all members and subscribers that all payments to the Indian Public Health Association
are to be made only through Bank Drafts drawn in favour of Indian Public Health Association
payable at Kolkata. Payments through cheque cannot be accepted.
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