ABSTRACT

 This study was to determine the bacteriological quality of rcady-to-cat food (salad, meat, pic, rice, beans) sold by food vendors in Umuahia metropolis. A total of twenty (20) ready to cat food samples were collected from different vendors within Umuahia metropolis. The food samples were then cultured on Nutrient Agar Medium, MacConkcy Agar, Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and Salmonella shiegella Agar using a pour plate technique. From the result of this study, a total of thirty four (34) bacteria isolates Were isolated and identified as five (5) different bacteria species. Eleven (11) were Escherichia coli (32.3%), seven (7) were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.5%), live (5) were Klebsiella spp (14.7%), three (3) were Staphylococcus aureus (8.8%) and eight (8) were Bacillus spp (23.5%). It was recorded in this study that the rice food sample had the highest Heterotrophic Bacterial Counts, Total Coliform and Total Staphylococci Counts. From the findings in this study, it was 6bseryed that Escherichia coli is the most frequently occurring isolates with a percentage occurrence of 1 1(32.3%). The occurrence of the bacteria on the food samples suggests a relationship with the amount of moisture present. Ready to cat food such rice, salad and beans are consumed by people irrespective socioeconomic status, sex, age etc. Ready to eat food arc sold in different location including street, public place like schools, hospitals and Motor Park etc. Therefore to ensure the safety of the foods, producer and vendofs must maintain a clean environment, minimize contact with the food samples after production and also maintain a high level of personal hygiene.