Environmental Public Health Journal 2017 | BCIT Institutional Repository

Environmental Public Health Journal 2017

Evaluating the cleaning procedures of meat slicers at retail delis in Metro Vancouver
Background: Ready-to-eat deli meats are widely consumed by the public; however they are also a high risk food for carrying Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis, an infection that can result from consumption of Listeria monocytogenes contaminated food, is the leading cause of deaths related to foodborne illness in Canada. Due to structural constraints and inadequate cleaning, mechanical slicers used to process deli meats have been implicated as a major source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination of deli meats. Several governing bodies, including local health authorities have published recommendations on the proper method of cleaning and sanitizing meat slicers to prevent the risk of contamination of deli meats. This study evaluated the compliancy of retail delis in Metro Vancouver to these recommendations and also assessed their knowledge of the risk associated with deli meats. Methods: An in-person, self-administered paper survey was conducted at several retail delis and supermarkets. The survey questions determined the cleaning and sanitation procedures of meat slicers at the establishments and also assed knowledge of the risk associated with deli meats. Both nominal and numerical data was collected and analyzed using a Chi-squre test and a t-test. Results: Based on the data collected, a statistically significant difference was identified between the cleaning procedures practiced by the establishments and those recommended to prevent pathogen transmission through meat slicers. The chi-square test revealed that there is a statistically significant association between the size of the establishment and the adequacy of cleaning procedures, with small-scale delis being less likely to comply with the cleaning practices that are recommended by governing bodies. Conclusion: Cleaning procedures practiced at retail delis and supermarkets are not consistent with those recommended by regulatory agencies to prevent the transmission of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes from meat slicers to deli meats. Smaller retail delis are less likely to follow proper cleaning methods than larger supermarket delis. Educational intervention by health authorities may be needed to ensure that food establishments are informed of proper and timely cleaning procedures., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2017., Peer reviewed, Deli, Meat slicers, Cleaning and sanitation, Listeria monocytogenes
Evaluating two methods of testing residual sanitizer concentrations in food service establishments
Objective: Utensils and tableware are food contact surfaces that have the potential to transmit disease-causing microorganisms if not washed, cleaned and sanitized correctly in a food service establishment. To prevent utensils and tableware from becoming vectors of disease, it is essential that operators and staff are able to adequately sanitize them and accurately test for it in a quick and convenient manner. It is also essential that Environmental Health officers are able to test whether adequate sanitization is occurring during their routine inspections. Currently there are no guidelines indicating the correct method of testing. Therefore, this study investigated two methods used to test residual sanitation concentration in a dishwasher. The purpose of this research was to determine if there is any difference in the two methods currently being used, and if so, which method is the more reliable one. Methods: LaMotte Chlorine Test Strips were used to detect the levels of chlorine in a commercial dishwasher. The chemically treated strips were dipped onto a freshly wet and washed utensil and directly in the rinse water of a dishwasher. Results: The difference in the mean of 60 samples from two independent groups was analyzed. Thirty samples were obtained from location one, the dishware l, and thirty samples were obtained from location two, the rinse water of the commercial dishwasher. The mean residual concentration was calculated and compared. The means demonstrated there is a significant difference (p = 0.035)between the two groups; the average residual concentration was lower for the dishware compared to the rinse water. Conclusion: Dishware is a vector capable of transmitting disease causing microorganisms if not sanitized adequately. Thus, it is important to ensure that dishes in a food service establishment have been thoroughly sanitized. The testing of that requires a consistent and reliable method. It is safe to assume that testing on the dishware is the best course of action to err on the side of caution., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2017., Peer reviewed, Test strip, Chemical dispenser, Chlorine, Low temperature dishwashers, Sanitation, Tableware, Rinse water
Knowledge comparison between group childcare centres and family childcares on sanitation of toys
Background: Childcare facilities (CCFs) are known to have a high potential risk of exposure and transmission of infectious diseases through contact surfaces, such as toys. Research to date suggests that toys are a potential source of cross-infections in CCFs, especially when childcare providers do not practice proper hygiene. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge on the differences in sanitation methods of toys between group and family CCFs. This study compared knowledge of group and family CCFs regarding how to sanitize toys. Methods: Self-administered surveys were distributed to group and family CCFs in Surrey, BC via e-mail. The survey was used to assess the knowledge of childcare providers on sanitation of toys. The survey was evaluated using a scoring system. In addition, each participant answered descriptive questions, such as the existence of sanitation plans and toy cleaning and sanitizing schedules. Results: Group and family CCFs showed no statistically significant differences in knowledge levels on sanitation of toys. The mean score of the knowledge level of group and family CCFs was 65% and 55% respectively. Conclusion: Childcare providers in CCFs play a key role in properly sanitizing toys and preventing transmission of infectious diseases between children. Recognizing knowledge gaps in sanitation can lead to policy development as well as improved educational programs., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2017., Peer reviewed, Childcare, Group, Family, Children, Toys, Sanitation, Public health, Knowledge
Mean difference of coliform counts in relation to sanitation frequencies at the Simon Fraser University Childcare Society
Background: Young children in child care facilities are more likely to contract communicable diseases than if they are cared for at home. The relationship between pathogen presence and frequency of toy sanitation at these facilities is not well studied. Thus, the discrepancies currently seen in the hygiene guidelines between health authorities in British Columbia, Canada. Most childcare facility studies in the current literature focus on gastrointestinal outbreak situations or the sanitation of multiple surfaces. The focus of this project is on toys only. Toys made out of wood were selected because research shows that this material is more susceptible to harboring bacteria on it. Microbiological swabbing was performed to measure the effectiveness of the sanitation schedule of a child care facility in Burnaby. Method: Twenty-four wooden blocks were randomly selected for surface sampling. The 3M™ Quick Swabs were used to collect the bacterial coliforms before and after sanitizing the blocks, whereas, the 3M™ Petrifilm™ E. coli/Coliform Count Plates were used to enumerate the bacteria. The last time the facility had cleaned the blocks was 1.5 weeks prior to sampling. Results: There were 0 CFU/cm2 for before and after sanitizing the blocks, therefore, the mean difference was also 0 CFU/cm2. Inferential statistics could not be conducted. Conclusion: The results can be interpreted several ways. One interpretation is that the current toy sanitation frequency at the facility is good. It could also mean that, the methodology used was not able to detect any coliforms. In combination with the conclusions from the different studies discussed in the evidence review, the development of a prescriptive toy sanitation schedule for child care facilities would not be a high priority for health authorities., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2017., Peer reviewed, Child care facility, Sanitation, Frequency, Colony-forming unit (CFU), Coliforms, E. coli gastroenteritis