Detection of foodborne pathogens in ready-to-serve food samples in Malaysian public universities

Vollständiger Abstract

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Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern, particularly in institutional settings such as public universities, where large populations are served daily. This study investigates the detection of foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, as well as Vibrio cholerae in ready-to-serve food samples collected from university cafeterias, food courts, and residence halls. A total of 127 food samples were obtained from multiple campuses and subjected to microbiological analysis using standard enrichment and PCR assay. The findings revealed that three types of pathogens, for example, V. cholerae, E. coli O157 and E. coli O157:H7, were detected. Overall, the results underscore the potential health hazards linked to improper food handling as well as storage practices in university food services. Moreover, the study highlights the need for stricter hygiene protocols, regular microbial surveillance, and staff training to mitigate contamination risks.