ABSTRACT

 Ready to eat suya samples were purchased from suya vendors at four different sale points in Umuahia. Studies on the microbiological quality of suya were carried out. Total viable count (TVC), Total coliform count (TCC), Total Staphylococcus counts (TSC) and the fungi count were carried out. The results included total viable county ranged from 4.0 x 10 to 9.5 x 104, the coliform count ranged from 3.0 x I 0 4 to 9.0 x 10cfu/g while the Staphylococcus count ranged from 2.0 x 10 to 8.0 x 10cfu/g. Five bacteria namely Escherichia coli, p Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Klebsie/la specie, and four moulds (Aspergillusformigatus, A. niger, A. flavus and fusariumspecie) were isolated. Staphylococcus, coliforms and Aspergillusspecies recorded maximum occurrence. These findings suggest that most of ready to cat foods sold by illiterate road side vendors may constitute sources of bacterial food poisoning, consequently public health hazards. The need for improvement and maintenance of good hygienic practices by food handlers and vendors is emphasized.