Forensic Microbiological Evaluation of the Foods in School Canteens [Okul Kantinlerindeki Yiyeceklerin Adli Mikrobiyolojik Acidan Degerlendirilmesi]

Abstract

The reliability of canteens which have an important place in nutrition of students and the reliability of the foods sold in those canteens are very important. In this study, the aim is to examine the food samples in terms of pathogen microorganisms that cause food poisoning and to have the results analyzed in frame of forensic sciences.Under the scope of this study, 240 components belonging to 100 foods, taken from the canteen and buffets of 5 different primary schools in Taksim, Mecidiyekoy, Fatih, Kartal, Nisantasi townships of Istanbul in 2009-2010 academic year, were microbiologically analyzed. The research was conducted in direction of Turkish food codex microbiological criteria regulation published in formal newspaper with date 06.02.2009 and no: 27133 in Istanbul University Forensic Medicine Institute Lab. At the end of the study, it was determined that microbiological analysis results of 25% of the foods produced in the canteen of primary school no: 2, 50% of the foods produced in the canteens of the primary schools no 1,3 and 5 and 75% of the foods produced in the canteen of the primary school no: 6 are not in accordance with microbiological criteria regulation. This fact makes us think that canteen operators do not pay enough attention to personal and environmental hygiene and they do not follow the proper storage conditions for the ingredients used for preparation of foods and therefore how important are the legal regulations, canteen inspections and the precautions to be taken regarding this issue. [Med-Science 2014; 3(3.000): 1456-69]

Keywords

• Pathogenic microorganisms
• school canteen
• food poisoning
• Turkish Food Codex