Microbiological quality of surfaces in food services at childcare institutions in Barranquilla, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/cyta.v10i2.4387Keywords:
Feeding services, Microbiological quality, surfaces in contact with food, mesophil aerobe and total coliformsAbstract
The study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of food-contact surfaces in food service facilities of childcare institutions in Barranquilla, Colombia. A randomized block design was conducted, including 30 establishments of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), which were considered as blocks or replications, and five treatments corresponding to processing-area surfaces: knives, pitchers, pots, cutting boards, and cups. In each establishment, sampling was carried out after cleaning and disinfection procedures and before food preparation, using the swab method. Two microbiological hygiene indicators, mesophilic aerobes and total coliforms, were analyzed using the pour plate count technique with Plate Count agar and Endo agar, respectively. The results showed that, in several food service facilities, mesophilic aerobic counts exceeded the maximum permitted limit, except on cutting boards. Additionally, total coliforms were detected on knives, cutting boards, cups, and pots, indicating deficiencies in cleaning and disinfection procedures. These findings highlight the need to strengthen hygienic measures in food services at childcare institutions and to continuously evaluate cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure adequate microbiological control.
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