Abstract

FONSECA, Janini Galvão  and  PEREIRA, Maurício Gomes. Bacterial contamination of sandwiches sold in snack bars: cross-sectional study carried out in Brasilia, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.3, pp.509-516. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742013000300016.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the hygienic conditions of sandwiches available for human consumption sold in the region of Brasilia, Federal District. METHOD: a cross sectional survey of a representative sample of snack bars in the Brasilia region was conducted in 2006. A sample of 167 snack bars was randomly selected from a list of existing establishments registered with the Federal District's Health Department. In each snack bar a sandwich was prepared and analyzed immediately for coliforms, staphylococcus, Bacillus cereus counts and Salmonella detection. RESULTS: of the total of 167 samples, 55 (33%; 95% confidence interval: 26%-40%) had contamination levels above the limits established by prevailing law for the following bacteria: coliforms, staphylococcus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella. When considering any kind of contamination, this percentage increases to 92%. CONCLUSION: given the level of contamination found, educational and health surveillance activities are needed to improve hygiene procedures in the establishments that prepare sandwiches.

Keywords : Food Contamination; Coliforms; Staphylococcal Food Poisoning; Bacillus cereus; Salmonella.

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