Microbiological quality of ready-to-eat street-vended flavored waters and fruits salads in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of flavored waters and fruit salads by determining the presence of aerobic mesophilic, fecal coliform and pathogen organisms, such as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. The presence of microorganisms was determined based on the Mexican Official Standards for each microorganism and reported protocols. We performed a microbiological analysis of 48 samples of flavored water sold in some ice cream stores, and 20 samples of fruit salad from the supermarket. Aerobic mesophiles were detected in 82.3% of all samples, while fecal coliforms and S. aureus were detected in 35.2% of them. Salmonella spp. was isolated in 16.1% of the samples; Klebsiella spp. in 33.8% of them, while Shigella spp. only in 2.9% of the total. The results presented in this study reveal the need for preventive measures, with a special focus on hygienic food handling and processing practices, which could help preventing a great number of foodborne diseases