Avaliação das condições higiênico-sanitárias em embarcações mistas da região Amazônica

Abstract

Introduction: The hygienic and sanitary conditions of vessels carrying passengers and cargo requires constant diagnosis and monitoring for disease prevention. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify health hazards in food preparation conditions and water potability in mixed vessels in the State of Amazonas-Brazil. Method: 33 vessels were analyzed with qualitative detection analysis of Escherichia coli by chromogenic substrate for water potability and environmental evaluation with questionnaire application. Results: There was microbiological contamination in 13 (39.39%) drinking water samples and 31 (93.93%) sink samples for E. coli. The structural and operational conditions of kitchen handlers mostly did not meet the minimum percentages of safety in food production. Conclusions: This is the first report on the structural and operational conditions of food preparation in mixed vessels in Manaus-AM and we conclude that intervention is necessary with public policies regarding hygienic and sanitary issues involving the supply of water served in vessels for the protection of passenger health and training of food handlers and inspection of environments.