title: Microbiological evaluation of sugarcane juice sold at street stands and juice handling conditions in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: Fresh sugarcane juice is sold by street vendors without any heat treatment in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-four samples of point-of-sale juice were tested by standard methods to determine heterotrophic bacteria, total and thermo-tolerant coliform counts, Salmonella, and parasites in the juice. 25% of samples showed poor sanitary conditions, with thermo-tolerant coliform levels higher than allowed by Brazilian standards. Salmonella spp. and parasites were absent in all samples. Thermo-tolerant coliforms were detected on the hands of 37% of juice handlers, and heterotrophic bacterial counts reached 2.0 x 10(3) cfu/per hand. Escherichia coli was detected in one hand sample, and no Salmonella spp. was detected. Screening questionnaires were used to interview the vendors, and 62% of interviewees were either unfamiliar with or failed to adopt adequate hygiene for food handling.
authors: Departamento Morfologia e Patologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
authors: Aline Cristine Garcia
authors: AC
authors: Oliveira
authors: Antonio Sergio Spano
authors: AS
authors: Seixas
authors: Cristina Paiva
authors: CP
authors: Sousa
authors: Clovis Wesley Oliveira
authors: CW
authors: Souza