HYGIENIC-SANITARY PROFILE OF HANDLED MEAT SOLD IN BULK IN SUPERMARKET CHAINS IN TERESINA-PI

This study objective was to characterize the hygienic-sanitary profile in ground beef, chilled chicken, ham and sausage manipulated and sold in bulk at supermarket chains in Teresina-PI. Samples of sausage, ham, braised chicken and ground beef sold in bulk were collected at five large supermarket chains in Teresina-PI, identified as SM1, SM2, SM3, SM4 and SM5. Forty samples were analyzed by Faust, Willis and Faust method adapted with alcohol-ether solution in triplicates. Fungus spores, hyphae fragments, eggs (hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides) and parasite cysts (Entamoeba coli) were found in three of the five supermarket evaluated, as well as many body parts of insects as well as whole insects, these being fleas, mites and ants, in much greater quantities than permitted by law. In two of the five supermarkets chosen for the research no structures were found that could harm human health. It is necessary to implement good hygiene and care practices of meat storage at the analyzed supermarkets and to improve regulatory agencies inspections. In addition, it’s important to promote health education for supermarket workers, in order to avoid food contamination.