30, May 2026

Microbial Quality and Safety Assessment of Street-Vended Foods in Tamil Nadu: A Public Health Perspective

VOLUME-12; ISSUE-5; MAY-2026

Author(s): Neema Gopal , Samyutha P, Abinaya Sri N , Maheswari C, Madhavi S, Dr. M. Rajalakshmi, Dr. P. Srinivasan

Authors Affiliations:

School of Applied Biosciences, Food and Agri Tech

Rathinam Global University, Tamil Nadu.

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202605040     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202605040


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Street-vended foods are widely consumed in India due to their affordability, accessibility, and cultural importance. However, poor hygiene practices and inadequate food handling may lead to microbial contamination and increased risk of foodborne diseases. Bacterial contamination is one of the most serious health concerns associated with street foods, particularly due to organisms like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Shigella. These bacteria are commonly linked to poor hygiene, contaminated water, and improper food handling, and they can cause a range of gastrointestinal illnesses. The present study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and safety of commonly consumed street foods collected from selected areas of Tamil Nadu, India. Ten street food samples including highly sold pani puri, channa masala, mushroom masala, street dosa sambar, fruit juices, shawarma, and sweet corn were analysed using serial dilution and selective culture techniques. Samples were cultured on Nutrient Agar, Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar for enumeration and identification of bacterial contaminants. The results revealed varying levels of microbial contamination among the samples. Several samples showed high microbial loads, with the presence of Gram-negative enteric bacteria and possible pathogenic organisms. The findings demonstrate that inadequate hygiene, improper storage, contaminated water, and environmental exposure contribute significantly to microbial contamination in street-vended foods.

Street food, microbial load, food safety, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, bacterial contamination

Neema Gopal , Samyutha P, Abinaya Sri N , Maheswari C, Madhavi S, Dr. M. Rajalakshmi, Dr. P. Srinivasan (2026); Microbial Quality and Safety Assessment of Street-Vended Foods in Tamil Nadu: A Public Health Perspective, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-12, Issue-5, Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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