Pengaruh Karakteristik Penjual terhadap Jumlah Coliform Total pada Es Teh Jumbo di Kelurahan Kedungmundu dan Sendangmulyo, Kecamatan Tembalang, Kota Semarang

Jumbo iced tea has become a popular beverage in Semarang City. Ensuring its microbiological safety is essential to prevent bacterial contamination. According to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) No. 3553 (2015), the permissible level of total coliforms in 250 mL of drinking water is zero. Total coliform bacteria are pathogenic indicators commonly found in water due to human or animal contamination and reflect poor hygiene conditions. The total coliform count is measured using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method through sample dilution. Vendor characteristics, including age, gender, education level, and health status, may influence hygiene practices in beverage handling. This quantitative analytical study employed a cross-sectional design with stratified random sampling. Primary data were obtained through questionnaires and laboratory examination of jumbo iced tea samples using the TPC method on Chromagar media. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test. Most jumbo iced tea samples were positive for total coliform contamination, exceeding the safety limit established by SNI No. 3553 (2015). Statistical analysis showed a significant association between vendor gender and total coliform count, while age, education level, and vendor health status showed no significant relationship (p > 0.05). Vendor gender significantly affects the total coliform count in jumbo iced tea sold in Kedungmundu and Sendangmulyo Villages.