Hygienic conditions of hot dogs sold on the streets, Brazil

The study objective was to identify the circumstances where there was risk of contamination of food (hot dogs) prepared and sold on the streets and to establish a preventive action through the creation of key surveillance sites. Data were collected from 20 vending sites using interviews, questionnaires, observations of food handling and storage, and temperature and pH measurements of both meat and sauce, respectively. In 30% of the studied sites, hygienic conditions were rated as regular to extremely poor. Mashed potatoes, chicken and beef preparations were of high risk. These findings showed inappropriate hygienic practices of food preparation and lack of basic knowledge regarding food handling - a public health problem. Given the scarcity of literature and official data on food sold in the streets of Brazil, further studies are recommended.