Microbiological quality of street foods in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of foods sold by street vendors in Belo Horizonte, MG. The sample was statistically defined and comprised 51 street vendors: 48 individuals agreed to respond to the socioeconomic questionnaire and checklist; 50, to the foods temperature measurement; and 5, to microbiological analysis (foods, utensils and vendor’s hands). Mean age was 41 years (SD ± 15); 21% of leftovers were reused; 43.8% of the vendors did not wear a protection hair cap or net; 87.5% handled money while handling the foods. Only 18.7% of hot foods exhibited temperatures in conformity with the adopted standard. Nonconformities were found for Viable Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria (100%), Coliforms at 35º C (60%), Staphylococcus aureus (60%), Bacillus cereus (20%) and Salmonella spp. (60%). All utensil samples indicated poor hygiene, and coliforms at 35° C were present in all hands of the street vendors analyzed. The conditions of infrastructure, equipment and utensils and personal hygiene of the respondents were unsatisfactory. It is necessary to intervene and train street vendors in order to assure food safety for consumers. In addition, it is necessary to develop a specific sanitation legislation for this kind of business.