Características microbiológicas do gelo para consumo comercializado no Recôncavo Baiano

Abstract

Ice is a product resulting from the freezing of drinking water, and is commonly used “natural” in dinks and foods conservation. The ice commercialized for human consumption should be safe and possess the same quality as drinking water, within the required standards and, by be considered a potential means of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms represent a risk to consumer health. The objectives of this study were: to characterize the microbiological quality of 29 ice samples packaged for consumption, from six cities in the Recôncavo Baiano, and assessment of potential health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated ice. The results gotten for the analysis had disclosed an index of contamination of 93,10 %, for total coliforms and termotolerants, Enterococci by 37,93%, 79,31% for mesophilic microorganisms, with values greater than 5,0 x 102 UFC. mL -1, and 37,93 % of sample with damaged packaging, exposing the ice to contamination from external environment, in discordance with the current law, Portaria no 518 of the Health Department. Therefore, one concluded that the analyzed ice samples had been considered improper for human consumption and they constitute an important factor of risk to the health of the consumers.