Condições higiênicas do comércio ambulante de alimentos de Itaqui-RS

Abstract

The street food trade is considered a temporary activity of retail sale of food ready for consumption, it is conducted in public places and pose a risk to consumer health, since the marketed products can be easily contaminated by pathogenic micro-organisms. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the hygienic conditions of street food in the city of Itaqui-RS during the carnival festivities in February 2014. In order to the verification of Good Practices a checklist was developed and implemented based on existing law. According to the proposed classification in the methodology, 51.51% of the evaluated sellers have classified as belonging to group 3 (50% to 69% of adequacy) considering the items proposed in the evaluation. In relation to nonconformities observed, 87.88% of handlers do not use appropriate uniforms compatible with the activity, and 54.54% said they only received guidance on good practice through the participation in lectures prepared by the Municipal Health Surveillance. In all establishments that traded snacks was observed using dispensers condiments like mayonnaise instead of individual sachet of it. Regarding the hot food storage ready for consumption, 65% did not have adequate equipment for your exposure and 40.74% of the itinerant who traded “churrasquinho”, retain them without protection in conservation equipment. It was found no drinking water at all places and in 93.94% of the individuals noted to the lack of adequate residues collectors. The results showed that the nonconformities observed can pose risks to consumer health. It is suggested from this study the necessity to create laws and rules that regulate this trade, well as the application of educational interventions as a tool to educate itinerant sellers in adopt appropriate techniques to improve the hygiene conditions in the marketing of food, ensuring consumers better quality of products offered.