Microbial Analysis of Street Vended Fruit Juices and the Hygienic Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Fruit Juice Vendors

Food borne diseases caused by improper food handling practices bring about dreadful diseases that has an adverse effect on human life. The study was conducted to assess the microbial quality of street vended fruit juices and to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of street vendors who sell fruit juices. Microbial population of selected fruit juices were assessed by total viable count and total coliform count. Knowledge, attitude and practices of the street vendors were assessed by using a check list. Among the 5 samples collected, Sample C was contaminated by more colonies of E. coli – 180 CFU/ml. Paired t Test” was used to analyze the pre and posttest knowledge of street juice vendors towards food borne illness, p value was found to be 0.000 (< .001) which is highly significant. Street vendors should take food safety training given by the government, so that they will gain knowledge about hygienic practices. Consumers should be made aware of foodborne illness like hepatitis, typhoid, cholera etc.