Proximate Compositions and Bacterial Quality Assessment of Ready-to-Eat Vegetable Salads Hawked in Kaduna Metropolis

Foodborne outbreaks caused by the consumption of contaminated vegetables represent a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Assessment of bacteriological quality is necessary in ensuring circulation of uncontaminated products. Randomly total of 240 samples of ready-to-eat vegetable salads were purchased from hawkers in four major areas in Kaduna metropolis. The proximate composition of the salad samples were determined using standard protocols. Pour plate method was used to isolate bacteria from the vegetable samples. The results obtained showed variations in the percentage proximate compositions of the vegetables analyzed. The total aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 0.61±1.29 to 7.56±2.88CFU/g.The bacteria isolated and identified were Escherichia coli (12.92%) and Salmonella sp. (2.08%). The presence of these bacteria isolates, which are capable of causing foodborne diseases associated with the consumption of contaminated vegetables, raises more concern over public health risk. Proper washing, handling and serving of the ready-to-eat vegetable salads will reduce the risk of foodborne diseases associated with bacteria.