title: [Microbiological and chemical quality of water used in Colombian food industries].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food safety is a public health concern that is recognized worldwide. Food-borne diseases affect millions of people throughout the world, although mainly in developing countries. The current study was performed within the framework of an inter-administrative agreement in Colombia that considers decisions for improving the sanitary status of products from the agrofood industry in Colombia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Water used in Colombian food industries was assessed for its hygienic and sanitary qualities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The descriptive cross sectional study included 66 industries located in eight geographic provinces across Colombia, including the Capital District of Bogotá. The analytical determinations included 13 physical-chemical parameters, three bacteriological parameters, organophosphate and carbamate levels and presence of 10 metals. Half of the industries were associated with production of dairy products and the other half with the meat-packing industry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the the current standards for human drinking water, the risk index of the food industry water samples was high for 4.5% of these industries, moderate risk for 34.8%, low risk for 16.7% and for 43.9%, no risk. The parameters with the highest number of samples not in compliance with water health standards were microbiological (21.2%) and residual chlorine (28.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that the water used in most food industries can produce food spoilage and transmission of pathogen microorganisms. Importance is stressed for organizing a constant program of monitoring and control of water usage in food industries.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Salud Ambiental "Jaime Eduardo Ortiz Varón", Subdirección Red Nacional de Laboratorios, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, DC, Colombia. esilva@ins.gov.co
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jaime Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Carmenza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: Omayda
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paredez
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Piñeros
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otálora
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia; D019649:Food Industry / Q000592:standards*; D059022:Food Safety; D005517:Foodborne Diseases; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical