CURRENT MICROBIOLOGICAL STATUS OF HEALTH FOODS SOLD IN CANADA

A follow-up survey was conducted across Canada to evaluate the current status of 'health foods' sold in Canada. A total of 1239 sample units of 'health foods' were analysed for a variety of bacteria, including aerobic colony counts (ACC), coliforms, aerobic and anaerobic sporefor mers, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Results presented indicate that 16.8-18.4% of the 'health foods' exceed ACC guidelines, 16.0-17. 8% exceeded coliform guidelines, 35.7% exceeded aerobic sporeformer gu idelines, 81.4% exceeded anaerobic sporeformer guidelines, and 9% exce eded B. cereus guidelines. Some ACC were further identified and found to be opportunistic pathogens, including the genera Bacillus, Enteroco ccus, and Staphylococcus. It was concluded that more extensive surveil lance of this industry by health officials is needed. (C) 1998 Publish ed by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.