Boas práticas de fabricação (bpf), análise de tomate e água em restaurantes da cidade de Botucatu-SP

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Caracterização higiênico-sanitária de restaurantes comerciais do município de Botucatu-São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Qualidade microbiológica de alimentos servidos em restaurantes self-service

Collective food services have been increasing worldwide, and the self-service restaurant has been the current preference by consumers. Considering the importance of hygienic quality of food, the microbiological composition of ready-to-eat food was assessed. In the second semester of 2008, 20 samples of meals, mainly meat-based foods, were collected from different self-service restaurants in Araçatuba city, SP. Bacteriological analyses were performed following the conventional methodologies, and the results were compared with the standards established by the effective Brazilian legislation. Coliforms at 35ºC were detected in 90% of analyzed samples. Coliforms at 45°C were found in 55% of the samples and, among these, in 63.63%, the occurrence of Escherichia coli was confirmed. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected in 10% of samples and no sample showed Salmonella spp. or Bacillus cereus contamination. Sulfite reducing clostridia at 42o C were not investigated in this study. These findings indicate the need for a rigorous approach for improving the sanitary conditions during preparation and presentation of ready-to-eat food, as the consumption of contaminated products represents a potential risk to public health.