Microbiological analysis of salads eaten raw in the cafeteria of an educational institution
Keywords:
Student cafeteria, Raw salads, Microbiological analysis, Infectious diseases.Abstract
The National School Feeding Program (PNAE) is a Brazilian public policy that aims to guarantee adequate nutrition for basic education students in public and philanthropic schools. Implemented since 1955, the PNAE's main objective is to meet the nutritional needs of students during the school term, contributing to their development, learning and academic performance. However, concern about the quality of vegetables eaten raw, which are essential for a healthy diet, is relevant due to the risks of contamination by pathogenic microorganisms, which can occur at various stages from production to consumption. The study described here specifically analyzes raw salads consumed by students, evaluating microbiological aspects to ensure food safety in the Vitória da Conquista campus cafeteria, using total and thermotolerant coliform counting methods.
