Microbiological quality of prepared foods from selected kitchen outlets in Lahore, Pakistan.

: Following UK PHLS guidelines, a total of 166 food samples from a variety of different kitchen outlets were examined for microbiological quality. Over 60% of the samples had satisfactory aerobic plate counts, and only 10% (8.5-18.7% of the samples, depending on the nature of the product) were classified as unsatisfactory. Almost 85% of samples presented with low coliform counts, and 6.6% were found to have unsatisfactory or unacceptable levels. Salmonella was found in only one sample, which had been purchased from a street trader.