FOODBORNE DISEASE OUTBREAK DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF RANCID BISCUITS

A foodborne disease outbreak characterized by vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, involving mostly children was investigated. Epidemiolog ical, hospital and laboratory investigations indicated that the diseas e outbreak was associated with consumption of rancid biscuits abandone d in the street corner in a crowded locality of old city Hyderabad. Th e offensive flavors of rancidity were masked by the strong pineapple f lavor used in the biscuits. Rancidity of the biscuits was confirmed by high peroxide value and acidity of extracted fat. Bacterial contamina tion was excluded by the total aerobic plate counts and negative tests for Staphylococcus and Salmonella.