Detection and identification of E. coli O157:H7 in food samples.

This Major Qualifying Project examined the presence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in food sources from local markets. Ten samples of foods provided by both organic and inorganic growers were tested. The samples were prepared using standard laboratory procedures and tested on a specially formulated medium obtained commercially for this particular organism, Rainbow Agar 0157. One out of 10 samples gave a positive result. Every result was then justified using the agglutination test, RIM E. coli 0157:H7 Latex Test. All were tested negative. Therefore, no enterohemorrhagic E. coli was found in the foods that were tested