OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the fungal and bacterial contamination level of drinking straws and their containers of thirty snack bars at the municipality of Ibiuna (SP, Brazil) and to correlate these data with conditions of hygiene and the processes and methods of disinfection of these establishments. METHODS: Three samples of closed packages, containers and contact surface swabs were collected in each establishment. A questionnaire was administered to identify the straws supplier, hygiene methods, frequency and disinfection. Sanitary inspections were also performed in these establishments. Microbiological analyses were done using the superficial washing technique and seeding plates to count mesophilic bacteria, mold and yeasts. Turbid samples were seeded in culture media for: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, total and/or thermotolerant coliforms. RESULTS: Microorganisms isolated from samples of drinking straws were Bacillus cereus 36.6%, Enterococcus spp and Molds/yeasts 3.3%. Swabs of containers revealed 46.6% of Bacillus cereus and 13.3% of Enterococcus. Association analyses of the microbial contamination level of drinking straws and their containers with conditions of hygiene, hygiene processes and disinfection of the establishments did not show statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Bacillus cereus was the most prevalent microorganism in closed packages, containers and surface swabs. No statistical association of risk factors for bacterial or fungal contamination was found.
Bacterial; Contamination; Funga; Food packaging
