Hyderabad: The quality of ice-cream available in Hyderabad is poor, according to a study carried out by the microbiology department of Osmania University. Some 300 samples were evaluated in the study. Of the 300 samples collected, 80 per cent are non-branded and 20 per cent are branded.
Morphological, cultural and biochemical tests found that 25 bacterial species were present in the ice-cream samples.
The bacteria found in large numbers were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus and Staphylococcus. Antibiotic resistance tests performed on these bacteria found that it didn’t work.
Nutritionist Fatima Ali says the bad quality of ice-cream is due to the handling process “where it is found that the containers are not washed properly. Even during the freezing process the milk, sugar, liquid essence and petri dish are found to harbour listeria, e.coli and also salmonella.”
The study found that the bacteria and fungi could survive due to three factors: milk protein and lactose, added sugars, and cream, which became good hosts for the micro-organisms to survive.
The transition time from preparing, freezing to thawing, allowed penetration of different bacteria, noted the study.
Dr Hari Kishan B general physician at Apollo Hospitals said, “The presence of listeriosis bacteria is found to cause stomach pains, fever and vomiting. These different bacteria are responsible for food borne illness and in some cases if the concentration of bacteria is high, it is found to cause food poisoning.”
The most vulnerable are the elderly, children, and those who suffer from co-morbid conditions such as diabetes. Pregnant women too must take care, as it can affect their digestive system and compromised immunity can lead to complications.
Experts say there is no testing or certification policy for the grading of ice-cream. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has policy codes for the use of essence in the ice-cream, but there is no other quality check.
Food inspectors in the city say ice-cream samples are not taken as there are no complaints about it and hence they are hardly ever tested.
