Microbiological hazard identification and exposure assessment of food prepared and served in rural households of Lungwena, Malawi.
The presence of food-borne pathogens, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, Campylobacter jejuni and non-pathogenic E. coli, in 132 home cooked food samples consisting of maize flour porridge (MFP), (n=41), fish (n=37), vegetables (n=28), beans (n=13) and "Others" (n=13), collected from 6 villages in Lungwena, Malawi was investigated. It was found that 35% of the food samples were contaminated with one or more pathogens; with 48%, 8%, 61% and 23% of the food samples being found to harbour E. coli, pathogenic E. coli 0157: H7, S aureus and Salmonella species, respectively. C. jejuni was not detected in any food sample. Using a 95% level of significance, pathogen concentration among food categories demonstrated a statistical difference (p=0.001). Distribution of pathogens among villages was also found to be significant (p=0.03). MFP was the most contaminated food. Practices that promote the spread of the pathogens in the rural household kitchens were investigated. Food was thought to be contaminated as a result of poor food handling, preparation and storage practices.
Department of Environmental Health, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi. staulo@poly.ac.mw
Steven
S
Taulo
Anne
A
Wetlesen
Roger
R
Abrahamsen
Grant
G
Kululanga
Rajab
R
Mkakosya
Anthony
A
Grimason
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008295:Malawi; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*