AVALIAÇÃO MICROBIOLÓGICA DE PESCADO E DE CONDIÇÕES HIGIÊNICO-SANITÁRIAS EM MERCADOS PÚBLICOS DE JOÃO PESSOA-PB

Abstract

Public markets are traditional places for selling fish and various other food products. These markets are part of the culture of Brazilian society, with the exchange of goods and the population's coexistence with their neighborhood. These sales outlets also represent a major concern in terms of public health for their consumers. In this context, the hygienic-sanitary conditions in public markets in the city of João Pessoa-PB and the microbiological quality of fish sold in these locations were evaluated. Microbiological analyzes were carried out on mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and anchovy (Engraulidae) fish, with samples being collected to detect Salmonella spp, Clostridium, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus. A check-list was applied to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the place of sale and the conservation and handling of the product. The samples indicated the presence of Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus. It was observed that the fish were not stored correctly and no type of conservation method was applied to the product. It was also observed that the stallholders had long, unprotected hair, as well as dirty hands, long enameled nails, and no caps or gloves were used when handling them. In view of the above, it is possible to affirm that the current research was scientifically and socially relevant due to the fact that it identified hygienic-sanitary problems that can serve as support for the actions of the bodies responsible for health surveillance in these places.