Qualidade microbiológica da comida de rua de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the microbiological quality of food sold by street vendors of Belo Horizonte, MG. The sample defined statistically consisted of 51 itinerant food vendors, 48 of who agreed to answer the socioeconomic questionnaire and the verification list, 50 the temperature verification of the foods and five participated in the microbiological analysis (food, utensil and hand of street vendors). The mean age found was 41 years (SD ± 15), 21% of the leftovers were reused, 43.8% of the food vendors did not protect their hair in a cap or net, 87.5% handled money before handling food. Only 18.7% of the hot foods showed appropriate temperature according to the adopted standard. In the food samples, inappropriate levels of Viable Aerobic Mesophilic (100%) microorganisms, coliforms at 35ºC (60%), Staphylococcus aureus (60%), Bacillus cereus (20%) and Salmonella spp. (60%) were found. All utensil samples were considered badly washed and coliforms at 35° C were present on all every hand of street food analyzed. Interventions are needed that itinerant food vendors need to be trained with a view to the safe production of these foods for the consumers. Also, prepare a specific health legislation for this trade.