Quality of Packaged Ice Purchased at Retail Establishments in Iowa

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 426-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
NELSON P. MOYER ◽  
GEORGE M. BREUER ◽  
NANCY H. HALL ◽  
JOHN L. KEMPF ◽  
LEE A. FRIELL ◽  
...  

The quality of packaged ice sold in retail establishments is not uniformly regulated, and its cleanliness and safety have not been recently evaluated. This investigation examined the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of 18 brands of packaged ice purchased at Iowa stores. Twenty-two ice samples were melted under controlled conditions and portions were analyzed for selected analytes established as primary and secondary drinking water standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Only one sample exceeded a primary health standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and that sample contained Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the total coliform group of bacteria. Several samples of ice manufactured in convenience stores had heterotrophic plate counts which exceeded the recommendation (<500 CFU/ml) established by the Packaged Ice Association, and none of the manufacturers met the minimum package labeling recommendations of that organization. Ice produced in convenience stores was of consistently poorer microbiological quality than ice produced by major commercial manufacturers. While ice consumption does not represent an immediate threat to personal or public health, the potential for disease transmission exists in an industry which is voluntarily self-regulated.

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1081-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS L. MARSHALL ◽  
VINEET JINDAL

This study examined the effects of trisodium phosphate (TSP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), and sodium metaphosphate (SMP) dipping solutions on the microbiological quality of catfish frames (the carcasses remaining after skinless boneless fillets are removed). Frames were dipped for 5 min in 10% phosphate solutions at 5°C, drained for 2 min, and analyzed for aerobic plate counts and total coliform counts. TSP reduced aerobic plate and total coliform counts by 1.0 and 2.5 log CFU/ml of rinse buffer, respectively. STPP reduced aerobic plate and total coliform counts by 0.3 and 1.0 logs, respectively. SMP did not reduce aerobic plate counts, but did decrease total coliform counts by 0.7 logs. The microbiological shelf life (time to reach 107 CFU/ml) of the frames treated with TSP was 3 days longer than controls. Rinsing frames in water after phosphate treatment reduced the effectiveness of the dips. The results demonstrate that TSP was more effective than either STPP or SMP in reducing microbial numbers on the surface of the frames and provided a subsequent shelf life extension.


2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel R. Kassenga

The consumption of bottled and plastic-bagged drinking water in Tanzania has increased largely because of the deteriorating quality of tap water. It is uncertain whether these water products are safe for drinking. In this study, the microbiological quality of bottled and plastic-bagged drinking water sold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was investigated. One hundred and thirty samples representing 13 brands of bottled water collected from shops, supermarkets and street vendors were analysed for total coliform and faecal coliform organisms as well as heterotrophic bacteria. These were compared with 61 samples of tap water. Heterotrophic bacteria were detected in 92% of the bottled water samples analysed. Total and faecal coliform bacteria were present in 4.6% and 3.6%, respectively, of samples analysed with a tendency for higher contamination rates in plastic-bagged drinking water. Microbiological quality of tap water was found to be worse compared with bottled water, with 49.2% and 26.2% of sampling points showing the presence of total coliform and faecal coliform organisms, respectively. The results suggest caution and vigilance to avert outbreaks of waterborne diseases from these types of drinking water.


Author(s):  
Francesca Rubino ◽  
Yahaira Corona ◽  
José Guadalupe Jiménez Pérez ◽  
Charlotte D. Smith

In many regions where drinking water supply is intermittent and unreliable, households adapt by storing water in cisterns or rooftop tanks. Both intermittent supply and stored water can be vulnerable to contamination by microorganisms with deleterious health effects. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area is a rapidly growing urban center with over five million residents where household storage is nearly ubiquitous. This pilot study was conducted in July 2018 to examine the microbiological quality of drinking water in Guadalajara. Samples were tested for free available chlorine residual, total coliform bacteria, and E. coli. A survey on access to water and public perspectives was also conducted. Water exiting rooftop tanks exceeded regulatory limits for total coliform levels in half of the homes studied. Piped water arriving at two homes had total coliform levels that far exceeded regulatory limits. No E. coli were detected in any of the samples. Only 35% of homes had a chlorine residual between the recommended 0.2 and 1.5 mg/L. Many homes reported unpleasant odors and colors. Only 7% of residents drank the piped water. Future studies are needed, especially during April and May when many homes reported a higher disruption to water service.


Author(s):  
Francesca Rubino ◽  
Yahaira Corona ◽  
José Guadalupe Jiménez Pérez ◽  
Charlotte Smith

In many regions where drinking water supply is intermittent and unreliable, households adapt by storing water in cisterns or rooftop tanks. Both intermittent supply and stored water can be vulnerable to contamination by microorganisms with deleterious health effects. The Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara is a rapidly growing urban center with over five million residents where household storage is nearly ubiquitous. This pilot study was conducted in July 2018 to examine the microbiological quality of drinking water in Guadalajara. Samples were tested for free available chlorine residual, total coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli. A survey on access to water and public perspectives was also conducted. Water exiting rooftop tanks exceeded regulatory limits for total coliform levels in half of the homes studied. Piped water arriving at two homes had total coliform levels that far exceeded regulatory limits. No E. coli were detected in any of the samples. Only 35% of homes had a chlorine residual between the recommended 0.2 and 1.5 mg/L. Many homes reported unpleasant odors and colors. Only 7% of residents drank the piped water. Future studies are needed, especially during April and May when many homes reported a higher disruption to water service.


1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-107
Author(s):  
DEOGHWAN OH ◽  
DOUGLAS L. MARSHALL ◽  
MICHAEL W. MOODY ◽  
J. DAVID BANKSTON

Microbiological analyses were made on samples of cooked blue crab taken immediately after debacking and either forced-air cooling or static-air cooling. Forced-air cooling had significantly lower (P<0.05) total coliform and fecal coliform counts, 2.51 and 2.30 log10 MPN/100 g, compared with those of static-air cooling, 2.83 and 2.60 log10 MPN/100 g. All treatments had less than 2.30 log10 MPN/100 g Escherichia coli. Staphylococcus aureus counts in the forced-air cooled crabs were approximately 4-fold lower than counts in static-air cooled crabs. The aerobic plate counts and psychrotrophic plate counts were significantly lower (P<0.01) by 1.04 and 0.81 log10 CFU/g, respectively, by forced-air cooling compared to static-air cooling. Thermocouple temperature readings were used to determine differences in cooling rates between forced-air and static-air cooling. After 1.5 h of cooling, the initial precooled crabmeat temperature of 34°C (93°F) was reduced by forced-air cooling and static-air cooling to 4°C (40°F) and 20°C (67°F), respectively. The rates of cooling using forced-air and static-air were significantly different (P<0.01).


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-208
Author(s):  
Asli Aslan ◽  
Haresh Rochani ◽  
Oghenekpaobor Oyibo ◽  
J. Edward Dotherow ◽  
Kendall W. Anderson ◽  
...  

Abstract Sachet water is one of the primary sources of drinking water in rapidly growing countries. A study to assess the microbiological quality of sachet water in 21 different brands was conducted in Ghana. Culturable total coliform was positive in 87% of the samples collected, where Escherichia coli colonies were absent. The analysis of quantitative polymerase chain reaction results indicated the presence of E. coli genes in 44.6% of the samples, with the highest concentration up to 3,166 CCE/100 ml. Microbial source tracking analyses showed that the source of E. coli genes did not originate from sewage contamination because the human-associated HF183 marker was not detected. Of the 175 samples tested, 71% did not mention any water treatment before filling the packages. These results suggest non-human sources of contamination, such as biofilm formation in the pipelines used to fill these packages due to poor disinfection. Our study shows an urgent need for increased regulation and standardized manufacturing of sachet water to ensure safe drinking water.


Author(s):  
Francesca Rubino ◽  
Yahaira Corona ◽  
José Guadalupe Jiménez Pérez ◽  
Charlotte Smith

In many regions where drinking water supply is intermittent and unreliable, households adapt by storing water in cisterns or rooftop tanks. Both intermittent supply and stored water can be vulnerable to contamination by microorganisms with deleterious health effects. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area is a rapidly growing urban center with over five million residents where household storage is nearly ubiquitous. This pilot study was conducted in July 2018 to examine the microbiological quality of drinking water in Guadalajara. Samples were tested for free available chlorine residual, total coliform bacteria, and E. coli. A survey on access to water and public perspectives was also conducted. Water exiting rooftop tanks exceeded regulatory limits for total coliform levels in half of the homes studied. Piped water arriving at two homes had total coliform levels that far exceeded regulatory limits. No E. coli were detected in any of the samples. Only 35% of homes had a chlorine residual between the recommended 0.2 and 1.5 mg/L. Many homes reported unpleasant odors and colors. Only 7% of residents drank the piped water. Future studies are needed, especially during April and May when many homes reported a higher disruption to water service.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Timilshina ◽  
I Dahal ◽  
B Thapa

INTRODUCTION: Due to increased demand and consumption of bottled water in Kathmandu valley, there has been a growing concern about the microbiological quality of this product. The objective of this study was to assess the microbial contamination of heterotrophs and total coliform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was done in randomly selected 30 different commercial brand of bottled water available in commercial market of Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Total coliform and heterotrophic bacteria were enumerated by the membrane filtration and spread plate technique, respectively. RESULTS: Nineteen samples (63.3%) showed the heterotrophic bacterial count above the acceptable range (i.e. <50 cfu/ml) and 56.6% (n=17) samples showed the total coliforms count crossed the WHO guidelines (i.e. 0 cfu/ml). 83.3% (n=25) brands of bottled water were not safe for drinking as they exceed the heterotrophic and/or total coliform count above the WHO guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of heterotrophs and the coliform in the bottled water is a serious concern for public health. Concerned authority should prioritize this issue and continuously monitor the quality of mushrooming bottled water manufacturers in Kathmandu valley to provide safe drinking water to the population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v1i2.7399 Int J Infect Microbiol 2012;1(1):84-86


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Würzer ◽  
A. Wiedenmann ◽  
K. Botzenhart

In Germany the application of procedures such as flocculation and filtration in the preparation of drinking water results in the annual production of an estimated 500,000 t of sediments and sludges. Some of these residues have a potential for being reused, for example in agriculture, forestry, brickworks or waste water treatment. To assess the microbiological quality of residues from waterworks methods for the detection of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella, poliovirus, Ascaris suis eggs and Cryptosporidium have been evaluated regarding their detection limits and were applied to various residues from German waterworks. Results show that sediments and sludges may contain pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protista. When residues from waterworks are intended to be reused in agriculture or forestry the microbiological quality should therefore be considered.


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