Research reveals 90% contamination of salads ready for consumption during delivery and fast food | Campinas and Region

Microbiological tests were carried out by the UniMetrocamp Wyden University Center in fresh salads, 12 of which came from deliveries and the other eight from fast foods.

Eighteen of them contained faecal coliforms ten times larger than those tolerated by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

"Salads made from raw vegetables, seasoned or not, in sauce or not, the limit is 100 colony forming units (CFU) per gram or milliliter, there should be a total absence of salmonella," said l. federal agency. note

Only two of the salads badyzed were fit for human consumption.

"What was surprising was the amount of coliform present in the samples, Anvisa recommends about 10², or 100 [coliformes por grama]. We found ten times more. We want to attract the attention of people who sell these products, "says Dr. Rosana Siqueira, PhD in Food Science, Biologist, Professor and Study Coordinator.

These foods are already subject to the planting of fertilizer, fertilizer and irrigation, sometimes inadequate. So, take care to wash them is essential.

"This product already reaches the merchant in a large amount of microorganisms. […] Tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, which are often eaten with the skin, we must pay more attention. And especially vegetables, the stem, which comes in contact with the ground, "he explains.

The research is part of the biomedicine graduation course of students Milene Almeida, Tamires Teixeira and Jacqueline Camargo. Saladers, they were surprised by the results.

"In the fast foods, we went to the places, we took these samples and we brought them here to inoculate [colocar o alimento num meio específico para testar se há crescimento de micro-organismos]. The same thing happened with the delivery we called and they brought us here, "says Milene.

In 11 samples it was also found Escherichia coli, indicating faecal contamination. This bacterium is present in the human and animal intestinal microbiota, according to the researchers.

Opportunistic to harm the health of those who are already in a debilitating state, the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa submitted quantities greater than 1.2 million in a single sample from the delivery.

Another bacterium that attracted attention was Staphylococcus aureus, which is present in the nasal cavities. Ingesting can lead to food poisoning. Molds and yeasts were also present in the salted samples. "They are also indicative of lack of sanitation."

"For immunocompromised people, it can cause gastric disease to pneumonia, Escherichia coli causes diarrhea, nausea and fever Staphylococcus aureus […] can cause food poisoning, which is very common in the population, "warns Jacqueline.

The output is to wash the salad again. Yes, wash everything before consuming. The coordinator teaches that the best substance for cleaning vegetables and fruits is sanitary water, a product accessible to the population.

There is 10 ml of bleach for 1 liter of drinking water, with 10 to 15 minutes of immersion. Then it is important to wash with running water before consuming.

"If you're in a place that does not have that opportunity, season this salad with vinegar or lemon, it's not going to give 100% safety, but it's better," says Rosana.

Rosana remembers that the board used to cut these foods must also be properly disinfected with bleach and then washed in running water. The use of gloves, mask and cap by the preparer is essential, according to the researcher.

Who can not disinfect the salad can use vinegar and lemon, which reduces contamination, such as seasoning.