Are Socio-Economic Indicators Associated with Food Safety in Public Schools? A Study in Sergipe State, Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian National School Feeding Programme aims to ensure food security and the right to food for public school students. To protect these fundamental rights, a comprehensive approach is needed that includes ensuring food safety. Recognising that low socio-economic conditions, inadequate food safety and child vulnerability can pose a cumulative burden on child development, this study examined food safety in public schools in Sergipe, Brazil, in the context of local socio-economic indicators. All state public schools in Sergipe (n = 314) were included. Food safety and socio-economic data were analysed using secondary sources and geographical maps. The cluster analysis identified two different groups of schools based on socio-economic indicators. While most schools presented regular foodborne illness risks, food production and temperature control had particularly high levels of non-compliance. Schools in areas with higher socio-economic indicators (Cluster 2) had better overall food safety scores (p < 0.001) compared to schools in areas with lower socio-economic indicators (Cluster 1). Cluster 1 schools also had a higher FBI risk when analysing temperature-controlled equipment violations (p = 0.001), food handlers (p = 0.005) and process and production (p = 0.004), which emerged as critical areas. These results emphasise the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve food safety in schools located in areas with lower socio-economic conditions.