Microbiological analysis of foods exempt of legal registration procedures

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the sanitary quality of foods commercialized in Londrina, Paraná that are exempt of Brazilian Health Ministry registration procedures, according to Resolution n°. 23 from the National Sanitary Administration Agency (ANVISA). The food categories analyzed were chosen according to ANVISA, Londrina, PR which took the epidemiological risk in account. Microbiological standards were evaluated according to ANVISA Resolution n°. 12. Escherichia coli and coagulase positive Staphylococcus counts were above standards in 11 (18.3%) and 13 (21.6%) of food samples analyzed, respectively. The others microbiological results were in conformity to ANVISA Resolution n°. 12. These results indicate inadequate sanitary conditions during food processing especially for ice-cream, stuffed pasta, "pães de queijo", lasanha, cream felled pastries, and "salgado recheado". The results could help the State and Local Sanitary Administration Agencies to evaluate the potentiality of these foods cause food-borne diseases and the adequacy of their liberation from Brazilian Health Ministry registration procedures. The results also show that microbiological analysis of the final product is a valuable validation and verification procedure for the GMP and HACCP system.