Microbiological quality of urban-vended salad and its association with gastrointestinal diseases in Kumasi, Ghana
by Jessica Fung; Bernard Keraita; Flemming Konradsen; Christine Moe; Maxwell Akple
International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health (IJFSNPH), Vol. 4, No. 2/3/4, 2011

Abstract: The influence of consumption of salads on exposure to gastrointestinal diseases was assessed in urban environments in Kumasi, Ghana. Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey involving 15 salad sellers and 213 consumers and microbiological laboratory analysis of 96 samples of ready-to-eat salad. Findings showed higher contamination in street-vended salads than those in cafeterias with thermotelerant coliforms levels of 4.00-5.43 log units per 100 g salad, 32% of samples had Salmonella sp., and 17% had helminth eggs. Overall, there was an insignificant inverse relationship between salad consumption and gastrointestinal diseases among street salad consumers (RR = 0.81) and a strong positive relationship with cafeteria consumers (RR = 5.51). However, stratified analysis on relative risk showed a likelihood of strong influence from other risk factors embedded in socio-economic status such as poor sanitation. We recommend more integrated studies on risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases in poor urban areas.

Online publication date: Thu, 27-Nov-2014

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