E. coli, coliform bacteria in water from Kochi eateries spark alarm
Recent inspections of eateries in Kochi have revealed the presence of E. coli and coliform bacteria in water samples, raising significant public health concerns. Authorities are now calling for stricter monitoring of water quality in food establishments and bottling facilities.
Why it matters
Contaminated water in public food outlets poses a direct threat to community health and highlights the need for rigorous food safety enforcement.
The detection of coliform bacteria and E. coli in water samples collected from eateries in Kochi has raised serious health concerns. The worrying water quality indicators emerged following inspections conducted at eateries across the city over the past two months.
Joint inspections by the Health department, Kochi Corporation, Food Safety department and the police began in July in an effort to control the spread of infectious diseases. More than 180 shops and eateries have been inspected so far.
According to the reports, the Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliform bacteria detected in the samples ranged from 17 per 100 ml to 1,600 per 100 ml.
The MPN should be zero in drinking water, according to M.K. Mukundan, former director of the Council for Food Research and Development, Konni.
The MPN of E. coli was found to be 280 per 100 ml in most samples.
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