Prevalance and levels of coliforms, coagulase positive staphylococci and enterococci in catering establishments.

A bacteriological survey of fifty catering establishments in Mysore city
was conducted to assess the prevalence and levels of indicator microorganism such
as coliforms, coagulase positive staphylococci and enterococci. Statistical
analysis of the results obtained indicated that the distribution of total bacterial
counts in respect of all types of samples showed normal distribution pattern.
Significant differences were not observed between samples from vegetarian and
non-vegetarian restaurants. Counts relating to fingernail cuttings of food
handlers differed significantly with nose swab rinses. Very high significance
was observed regarding correlation coefficients between total and coliform
counts in the case of cutlery items excepting drinking water tumblers. Positive
indications in respect of coliforms, coagulase positive staphylococci and
enterococci were in the order of 46.65%, 1.88% and 6.17% in the case of cutlery
items, 20.58%, 5.96% and 2.12% in the case of samples from food handlers.