Research – Microbial contamination of grocery shopping trolleys and baskets in west Texas, 2020

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Indicator microorganisms evaluated were those detected by aerobic plate count (APC), yeast and molds (YM), Enterobacteriaceae (EB). Environmental listeria (EL), coliforms (CF), and E. coli (EC).  In addition, listeria monocytogenes, staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157 and salmonella sp. Were tested for.  Trolley grills (n=36) had 2.7 x 10² CFU/cm².  Trolley handles (n=36) had 2.7 x 10⁶ of CF and 5.2 CFU/cm² of YM.  The bottom of handheld baskets (n=25) had 3.5 x 10⁵ CFU/cm² of CF and 5.07 CFU/cm² of EC.  S. aureus was found on 96% of the baskets, 50% of the trolley handles (18 out of 36 samples), and 42% of the trolleys’ grills.  E. coli O157 was identified on 17% of baskets, 3% on trolley grills, and 3% on handles.  Salmonella sp. was detected on 16% of baskets and 8% of trolley grills.  L. monocytogenes was detected on 17% of the bottoms of handheld baskets but on none of the other samples.