title: Evaluation of hygiene practices and microbiological status of ready-to-eat vegetable salads in Spanish school canteens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted in eight Spanish school canteens during the period 2008-2009. Food handlers' practices, kitchen equipment, hygiene/sanitation conditions and handling practices were evaluated using checklists. In parallel, the microbiological quality and safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable salads were assessed. In addition, food contact surfaces and environmental air quality of different areas were analysed. The study determined the relationship between the microbiological quality of RTE foods and food handling practices, together with the degree of contamination of working surfaces and environmental contamination of processing and distribution areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some deficiencies were found regarding the use and change of gloves, hand-washing and cleanliness of working surfaces. The microbial levels detected in the foods examined indicated the absence of pathogens in the samples analysed. Surface counts were higher on cutting boards and faucets, showing insufficient cleanliness procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study constitutes a descriptive analysis of the hygiene/sanitation conditions implemented in food service systems in eight Spanish school canteens. The results should help risk managers to better define control measures to be adopted in order to prevent foodborne infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain. myrcazul@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Magdevis Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Caturla
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: Guiomar D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Posada
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: García-Gimeno
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zurera
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000382:microbiology; D005511:Food Handling / Q000295:instrumentation; D018857:Food Packaging; D005522:Food Services / Q000295:instrumentation; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D012499:Sanitation / Q000379:methods*; D012574:Schools; D013030:Spain; D013499:Surface Properties; D014675:Vegetables / Q000382:microbiology*; D000078329:Workforce