Microbial contamination of weaning foods

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of Escherichia coli in different foods being fed to children in the weaning age group. The samples were collected from middle income group (MIG) and high income group (HIG) houses in different localities in Chandigarh. A total of 530 MIG and 525 HIG houses were selected on the basis of availability of children in the weaning age group. A total of 2,016 samples of weaning foods were collected. Isolation of Escherichia coli from MIG and HIG houses was 66.75% and 8.5% respectively. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were detected in 61.47% and 43.5% of the total Escherichia coli isolates from MIG and HIG houses respectively. 'O' serogrouping of the isolates was done and the predominant serotypes found were 06, 0106, 043, 057, 01. The laboratory studies showed that almost all weaning food samples prepared in the laboratory supported the growth of known enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.