Street food in Espírito Santo, Brazil: a study about good handling practices and food microbial quality

Abstract Street foods are points of sale of ready-to-eat foods sold on the public roads. However, due to the conditions of handling and sale of food practiced in these trades, these can pose risks to public health. This study aimed to evaluate the conditions of the handling and sale of food from street vendors in Vitória and Serra, Espírito Santo, Brazil. A checklist based on the Brazilian legislation resolution number 216/2004 was used to verify the sanitary conditions of the trades. In addition, samples of foods commercialized in these trades were collected to determine microbiological quality, according to current legislation. Of the 200 trades evaluated, 58.5% were classified as “Poor,” with unsatisfactory hygiene conditions. The main inadequacies were related to the hygienic conditions of the seller. Of the 63 food samples analyzed, 57.1% presented contamination above the limit allowed by the legislation and were as a result considered unfit for consumption. It has been concluded that street vending is still a potential source of pathogens that cause foodborne illness.