Microbial quality of food snacks and drinking water in Islamabad schools and colleges

The study was undertaken to determine the microbiological qual- ity of various food items available in different schools and colleges of Islamabad. For sampling of water and food items, ten different schools and colleges were selected . These samples were analyzed for Total plate count (TPC), Total coliform, Fecal coliform, E.coli. Yeasts and Moulds. The data revealed that out of 30 water and 10 food samples, 12 samples of water and only 3 samples of food were found within range of permissible limits while the remaining were highly contaminated and unfit for human consumption. This study has socio-economic benefit moni- toring the health standards of population especially the young generation.