Bacterial risk evaluation of widely consumed fast foods by the younger population in Bangladesh and its potential health effects

Abstract

Food-borne illness is a significant public health concern in Bangladesh, especially among the younger generation. They often consume spicy street foods, such as Fusca, Hog plum bedfellow, and Chotpoti. These foods can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can cause various diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery. This study investigated the microbiological quality of three commonly consumed street foods in Bangladesh. We collected samples of Fusca, Hog plum bedfellow, and Chotpoti from different vendors in Dhaka and analyzed them in a laboratory. We found that all three of the food samples were contaminated with a variety of bacteria, including Bacillus spp., Haemophilus spp., Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. Some of these bacteria, such as Haemophilus spp., were resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Our findings suggest that there is a high risk of food-borne illness associated with the consumption of street foods in Bangladesh. We urge vendors and consumers to take steps to improve food safety, such as proper food handling and cooking and clean water and utensils.