Suchergebnisse

Food labelling is important to communication between food producers and consumers. For consumers to have greater autonomy in terms of their food choices, it is important to facilitate a correct interpretation about what is on a food label. This paper assessed consumers' knowledge and use of nutritional information on food labels. Cross-sectional exploratory quantitative, "blind" research carried out in 2018 in a public university in Brazil, with 415 consumers aged 18 years or older. A structured questionnaire with a score ranging from 0 to 24 was applied. Descriptive analysis, Spearman correlation coefficient, the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann Whitney test were employed. Participants were individuals aged 21.02 ± 2.89 years, of which 58.31% were female. Many consumers reported they read food labels frequently (56.39%). The mean score was 14.99 ± 4.12. The knowledge score mean was affected by age (p = 0.039) and income (p = 0.020). Participants who used nutritional claims as a criterion for purchase (p = 0.004) had higher scores. The biggest issues in interpreting nutritional labels were related to mandatory nutrient claims and the terms "trans-fat free (0%)", "functional food", "diet" and "light". Food label regulation is a process currently under review in Brazil, so research on the use and knowledge of nutritional information on food labels by young adult consumers becomes important. It will contribute to the discussion of the revision of legislation, as well as helping professionals guide consumers in the interpretation of labels. ; A rotulagem de alimentos é importante para a comunicação entre produtores e consumidores. No entanto, para ajudar os consumidores a ter maior autonomia em suas escolhas alimentares, é importante interpretar corretamente a rotulagem dos alimentos. Assim, esta pesquisa avaliou o conhecimento e o uso das informações nutricionais apresentadas nos rótulos dos alimentos. Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratória e transversal, realizada em 2018 em uma universidade pública no Brasil, com 415 consumidores com 18 anos ou mais. Para avaliar o conhecimento, aplicou-se questionário estruturado com pontuação de 0 a 24. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise descritiva, correlação de Spearman e teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann Whitney. Participaram indivíduos com idade de 21,02 ± 2,89 anos, dos quais 58,31% eram do sexo feminino. Muitos consumidores liam frequentemente os rótulos dos alimentos (56,39%). A pontuação média de conhecimento foi de 14,99 ± 4,12. A média do escore de conhecimento foi afetada pela idade (p = 0,039) e renda (p = 0,020). Os participantes que utilizaram alegações nutricionais como critério de compra (p = 0,004) obtiveram maiores pontuações. Os maiores problemas na interpretação dos rótulos nutricionais estavam relacionados às reivindicações obrigatórias de nutrientes e aos termos "isento de gordura trans (0%)", "alimento funcional", "dieta" e "light". Considerando que a regulamentação dos rótulos de alimentos está em processo de revisão no Brasil, torna-se importante pesquisar seu uso e conhecimento por consumidores adultos jovens. Isso contribuirá para a discussão da revisão da legislação, além de ajudar os profissionais a orientarem os consumidores na interpretação dos rótulos.

Abstract The study evaluated the drinking water quality from 45 public schools in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Water samples were harvested from two different points at each school: the first one, drinking fountain used by students (n=45) and the second, kitchen faucet (n=45), comprising 90 samples. The samples were submitted to analysis according to current legislation, such as: dosage of free chlorine; colony counts of heterotrophic bacteria; presence of total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli. In addition, an enterococci analysis was also included as a complementary microbiological indicator of fecal contamination. The isolated strains of enterococci were identified and submitted to an antibiotic susceptibility test. In relation to the legal parameters, 35.5% (n=16) of the 45 schools evaluated did not meet the quality water standards set by the Brazilian legislation. Although none of the 90 samples exhibited the presence Escherichia coli, 6.6% (n=6) of the analyzed samples presented enterococci contamination. Regarding the antibiotic susceptibility test, the isolated strains demonstrated a similar behavior, became resistant to six antibiotics and had intermediate sensitivity to one (Streptomycin) of the nine antibiotics tested. The drinking water destined for human consumption in the public schools may pose health risks for students since the fecal contamination by enterococci was confirmed, and it could be observed that the water may be a source of genes from bacteria resistant to antimicrobials. This study reinforces the importance of monitoring complementary microbiological indicators to assure water quality, seeing that fecal contamination was detected only when alternative parameters were inserted, emphasizing the relevance of including microbiological indicators beyond what the legislation requires to evaluate the drinking water more effectively and to safeguard public health.

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the school canteens located within different types of schools, together with their types of administration and the presence of a technical professional regarding Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs). The observational study was conducted in 111 school canteens, 35 from private and 76 public schools in Curitiba, Brazil. A checklist based on national and international legislation on good hygiene practices -GHP was elaborated and applied during the work routine. With the list, the information was gathered about the type of administration and the presence of a technical professional (nutritionist) in these canteens. Most school canteens were classified as Regular, comprising between 50% and 69% of adequate assessment in relation to GHPs. The most unsatisfactory criteria were related to food temperature control, training of food handlers and Manual of GHPs and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Private school canteens were better classified than public school canteens in most of the categories evaluated (p < 0.05). In addition, the school canteens that have been outsourced and have also had a person technically responsible (nutritionist) (p < 0.01) presented the best results. This shows the need for the public school canteens with self-management systems and no technical professional to re-evaluate the sanitary criteria and to implement new strategies, as well as improving procedures for food temperature control, training of food handlers and elaboration of Manual of GHPs and SOP. Improvement with respect to these procedures will assist in better control of food safety and prevent diseases in the student population, contributing to health promotion in the school environment.