MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS SENT TO SCHOOL FEEDINGAbstract
Foodborne Diseases (FBD) are associated with the consumption of food and water contaminated by pathogenic micro-organisms. Some groups of micro-organisms are used as indicators of employment sanitary hygienic care employees in animal products. The objective was to evaluate the sanitary hygienic quality of animal products sent to school feeding pellets. Samples were collected in the distribution station of the Department of Education in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brasil. Five samples were collected from all batches of UHT milk, milk drinks and chicken fillets which were received in the period of eleven months, reaching fifty-five samples. Products were evaluated for the microbiological standards of the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). In addition to these analyzes were performed for the presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken products. A checklist of good storage practices was applied. All samples were within the microbiological standards accepted by ANVISA, however Salmonella was detected in four samples of chicken fillet. Campylobacter was not isolated from any sample. The storage conditions were considered bad, presenting 72.4% of nonconformities, especially in the temperature and storage conditions. The presence of Salmonella can pose a risk to the health of children that will consume chicken fillet.
Keywords: Children’s health; Public health; Salmonella; Foodborne illness