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Detection Of Fecal Coliforms In Water Used In Formal And Informal Food Outlets In Kasungu District, Malawi

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dc.contributor.author Chavura, Elton
dc.contributor.author Kapute, Fanuel
dc.contributor.author Mbakaya, Balwani Chingatichifwe
dc.date.accessioned 2024-01-23T07:01:28Z
dc.date.available 2024-01-23T07:01:28Z
dc.date.issued 2021-01-31
dc.identifier.citation Chavura E., Kapute F. & Mbakaya B.C. (2021). Detection of fecal coliforms in water used in formal and informal food outlets in Kasungu District, Malawi. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 17(3), 300 en_US
dc.identifier.issn 1857-7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857-7431
dc.identifier.uri https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2021.v17n3p300
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/513
dc.description.abstract Poor sanitary practices are common amongst many food handlers posing a health risk to consumers. Maintenance of high quality water is one of the most important aspects of ensuring consumer safety. Therefore, regular water testing is critical in public food outlets where bacterial contamination may cause outbreak of disease.The study aimed at analyzing water samples obtained from the formal and informal food outlets for the presence of fecal coliforms that are indicative of poor sanitation that result in foodborne infections amongst consumers. Using a cross-sectional design, water samples from participating food outlets (N=40) were analyzed using the membrane filtration method. Samples were filtered, under vacuum, through a cellulose acetate membrane of 0.45 μm pore size. Fecal coliforms exceeding permissible range were detected in 15 test samples (N=40). The median (IQR) concentrations of fecal coliforms (FC/100ml) in dishwashing water was 1(136) and 145(340) for the formal and informal food outlets respectively. The median (IQR) for drinking water was 0(0) with a minimum and maximum range of 0 and 14 FC/100mls. The study established a positive correlation between fecal coliforms and electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids (p<0.05) in dish washing water used at both formal and informal food outlets. Contamination was attributed to lack of running water, poor pest control and unwholesome practices in many food outlets. Based on the study findings, it is concluded that electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and turbidity values may be used to deduce the presence of fecal coliforms in water. The study recommends that water drawn from unprotected sources must be boiled or treated at the point of use before it can be safely used in food outlets. Periodic water testing and sanitary supervisions for all food outlets must be mandatory to ensure compliance with minimum set standards. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher European Scientific Journal (ESJ) en_US
dc.subject Fecal Coliforms en_US
dc.subject Formal Food Outlets en_US
dc.subject Informal Food Outlets Fecal Coliforms en_US
dc.subject Formal Food Outlets en_US
dc.title Detection Of Fecal Coliforms In Water Used In Formal And Informal Food Outlets In Kasungu District, Malawi en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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