IDENTIFIKASI CEMARAN BAKTERI Escherichia coli PADA KOLANG – KALING (Arenga pinnata) DI PASAR TRADISIONAL LUBUK PAKAM

Objective: to identify the presence of E. coli contamination in palm fruit sold at the Lubuk Pakam Traditional Market. Method: The research used a descriptive approach with purposive sampling from several sugar palm fruit traders. Laboratory tests were carried out by planting samples on Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA) media and conducting microscopic examinations with gram staining. Results: The study showed that sugar palm fruit samples sold at the Lubuk Pakam Traditional Market were contaminated with E. coli. This indicates that the sugar palm fruit sold in the market has not met food safety standards and has the potential to pose a health risk to consumers. Therefore, it is necessary to increase awareness of traders and supervision from related agencies to ensure that the products sold are safe for consumption.