Samples of food items and drinks taken from more than 2,000 restaurants in Jeddah were found to be contaminated with 11 types of harmful bacteria, a municipal source has said.

The shocking results of food samples, which were tested at municipal laboratories, forced the authorities to close down as many as 2,745 restaurants in the last four months, local media reported on Monday.

The bacteria found in the food samples included coliform, which thrive on contaminated food and can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever.

It contaminates water, meat, dairy and poultry products, vegetables and fruits with an incubation period of 12 to 72 hours.

The second type of harmful bacteria found in restaurant meals was intestinal bacteria, which result from contamination of gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The incubation period of this type of bacteria is one to 48 hours. The source of the bacteria includes people affected with Salmonella bacteria, use of contaminated water and mixing raw meat with vegetables during storage or preparation or mixing cooked meat with uncooked and unpasteurized milk.

Another type of bacteria found in the food samples was bacillus staphylococcus aureus, which is present on human skin or in the nasal cavity, or digestive system. Its incubation period is 24 to 48 hours.

Some of the samples also tested positive for bacillus cereus that also causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It contaminates meat, poultry products, herbs and dry condiments and fruit pulp, and its incubation period is 8 to 16 hours. The source of the bacterial contamination is unhygienic conditions and dirty water.

Another dangerous bacteria found in the food samples was listeria monocytogenes which finds it way to food through contaminated water, animal feed and decaying plants, soil, animal feces and sewage. Its symptoms include blood diseases and meningitis. It also causes premature birth, damage to embryo and death of fetus. The bacteris is found in contaminated meat, cheese, pudding powder and vegetable and sandwich salads. Its incubation period is 24 to 48 hours.

The source of some harmful bacteria in restaurants that cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can be traced to molds and yeasts in expired food and poor storage. Such bacteria could be found in old sweets, juices, salad blends, grains and their products, pickles and nuts with an incubation period of 24 to 48 hours.

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