Microbiological Criteria and Quality of Fruits and Fruit Juices in Ethiopia and International Experience

Abstract

The consumption of fruits and fruit juices could have both positive and negative effect on the part of consumers. Fruits and fruit juices processed under hygienic condition could play important role in enhancing consumersâ health through inhibition of breast cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), and urinary tract infection. In absence of good manufacturing practice; however, the nutritional richness of fruits and fruit juices makes the product good medium for microbial growth, vehicle of foodborne pathogens and associated complications. Although scanty on Ethiopian side, some countries of the world have set standards for the maximum permissible level of microbes in fruits, fruit juices and related products. The quality of fruits and juices is strictly maintained in developed countries under some law and regulation but in many developing countries where Ethiopia is not an exception; the manufacturer is not concerned about the microbiological safety and hygiene of fruits and juices because of negligence of law.