Assessment of microbiological quality of raw fruit juice vended in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania

•Up to 72.2% of fruit juice samples had microbial counts above recommendations.•Escherichia coli were detected in 80% of fruit juice samples.•Several risk factors for microbial contamination were established including types of fruit juice.•Almost 80% of preparation and vending premises of juices were unhygienic.•Fruit juice preparation and bacterial quality in Dare es Salaam city are poor.

Fresh fruit juices are highly nutritious food for human but the hygiene involved during preparation, packaging and storage make fresh juices prone to microbial contamination. This study was conducted to assess bacterial quality and establish the risk factors for contamination of raw fruit juices vended in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Ninety fruit juice vendors were assessed for possible factors of microbial contamination in fruit juices. One juice sample per vendor was collected for microbial analysis using standard laboratory protocols of International Standards Organisation (ISO), Tanzania Bureau of Standards and Codex specifications. The results showed that the total plate counts (TPC) ranged between 2.32 and 8.54 (Log cfu/ml). About 72.2% of juice samples had TPC above Codex recommended maximum levels (3.7-4.7 Log cfu/ml). The prevalence of Escherichia coli in the juices was 80% with a range between 0.0 and 5.0 (Log MPN/ml) suggesting of direct faecal contamination or contamination from the environment. All samples were negative for Salmonella species. Risk factors for high TPC and E. coli counts which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) included type of juice, extraction methods, vending sites, storage containers and sex of the vendors. Generally, 78.9% of preparation and vending premises were unhygienic and encouraged contamination of the juices. It is concluded that, the overall handling, preparation practices and bacterial quality of unpasteurized fruit juices vended in Dare es Salaam city are poor. The government should educate the vendors on food safety and hygiene as well as enforcing regular monitoring of the quality of street fruit juices.