Madalena H.T. Okino

Fiscalização de verduras comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP

Resumo O consumo de verduras cruas constitui importante meio de transmissao de varias doencasinfecciosas. Este estudo tem como objetivo a avaliacao microbiologica e parasitologica de verdurascomercializadas no municipio de Ribeirao Preto, SP, abrangendo todos os pontos de venda ao consumidor.Do total de 172 estabelecimentos fixos ou ambulantes analisados, 115 (67%) apresentaram hortalicas comirregularidades: elevada concentracao de coliformes fecais em 63%, presenca de Salmonella em 9% e deenteroparasitas em 33%. Os pontos de venda com maior frequencia de hortalicas com resultados inadequadosforam: mercearias (92%), CEAGESP (75%), quitandas (71%), vendedores ambulantes (71%), feiras-livres(69%), supermercados (52%) e hortas (18%). O tipo de contaminacao apresentou distribuicao uniforme emrelacao aos locais de venda e a variedade da hortalica. A maioria (61%) das verduras contaminadas eraprocedente de hortas localizadas no municipio de Ribeirao Preto. Considerando a elevada frequencia decontaminacao fecal e o potencial risco de doencas veiculadas pelas hortalicas, sugerimos uma vigilânciasanitaria mais atuante na fiscalizacao de alimentos oferecidos a populacao.Palavras-chaves: Verduras. Coliformes fecais. Salmonella. Cisticercose.Abstract The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectiousdiseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluationof the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercialconcerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevatedconcentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were:grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs(69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributedamong these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located inthe municipality of Ribeirao Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential riskof disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the foodoffered to the population.Key-words: Lettuce. Vegetable. Fecal coliforms. Salmonella. Cysticercosis.The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercial concerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevated concentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in 33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were: grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs (69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributed among these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the food offered to the population.

Fiscalização de hortas produtoras de verduras do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirao Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.

Avaliação da contaminação de hortas produtoras de verduras após a implantação do sistema de fiscalização em Ribeirão Preto, SP

This study evaluated the microbiological and parasitological contamination of 88 market gardens producing green vegetables, of which 47 had been investigated previously. The contamination rate was 38.3% in the market gardens previously evaluated and 43.9% in the new market gardens. Food safety requires a continuous and efficient sanitary surveillance system for market gardens.

Análise da cadeia de produção de verduras em Ribeirão Preto, SP

With the aim of assessing the cumulative risk of lettuce contamination, 45 production chains were investigated. The presence of thermotolerant coliforms, Salmonella and/or parasites was detected in 69% of these, in all steps of the production chain. Quality control in all steps of the lettuce production process should be intensified.

Monitoring of lettuce crops of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirao Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.

Monitoring of market gardens in Ribeirão Preto, SP.

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirao Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.