Total viable microbial count of the selected street foods obtained from Palampur, India

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the total viable microbial count of selected street foods i.e Samosa, Pakoda, Tikki, Momo, Spring rolls and Veggie burger in Palampur city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Samples of each street food were collected from 3 different locations and named as street vended samples. The samples prepared in the food laboratory by using traditional recipes were named as control samples and the samples prepared by using locally available healthy and more nutritious ingredients were named as value added samples. The samples were prepared for microbial analysis as per standard protocol. During the comparison, a significant (p≤0.05) difference existed in the viable count of street vended samples when compared to control and value-added samples. Poor hygienic conditions during processing and handling might be responsible for the higher microbial load. Common Indian street foods namely Samosa, Pakoda and Tikki had less colony count in comparison to the Moms, Spring rolls and burgers.