Assessment of bacterial contamination and antimicrobial susceptibility profile in institutional catering: A cross-sectional study of Libyan school canteens

School canteens are critical environments for student health, yet they frequently act as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of environmental surfaces and the hands of food handlers in Al-Marj City, Libya, while determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 60 swabs were collected from 15 school canteens. Bacteriological identification was conducted using selective media and comprehensive biochemical assays. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The overall contamination rate was 53.3%. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent isolate (43.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (34.4%) and Proteus mirabilis (21.9%). A statistically significant disparity was observed in hygiene outcomes based on management gender: male-managed facilities exhibited a 59.6% contamination rate, whereas female-managed facilities showed 12.5%. The high prevalence of fecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens necessitates urgent regulatory oversight and the implementation of mandatory food safety certification for canteen personnel.