O ambiente alimentar da rede municipal de educação de São Luís-MA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the food environment of municipal schools of São Luís, Maranhão as food security and nutrition promoter. We analyzed the nutritional quality of the menu offered to students, the hygienic and sanitary conditions of school canteens, and the microbiological quality of water from drinking fountains and food served in schools. Methods: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study. The survey was conducted in 40 public schools in urban and rural municipal schools, attended by the PNAE, chosen randomly. We analyzed 160 menus offered between February and September 2015, based on the Resolution 26/2013 FNDE recommendations. For the analysis of nutritional quality, we used the method Qualitative Assessment of School Menu Preparations - AQPC School. The Good Checklist Practices in School Feeding was used to evaluate the hygienic and sanitary conditions of schools. The quantification of coliforms at 35ºC and 45ºC, determining the presence / absence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus coagulase positive enumeration, search, and Salmonella spp. 57 samples of school meals. 64 water samples were evaluated from drinking fountains and the results analyzed according to the parameters of the current legislation. Results: The kilocalories content, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A and sodium of the food served are lower than those recommended by the legislation. The average weekly supply of fruits and vegetables was 229g, and the items of family farming were key to achieving these values. There is no supply of whole foods, fish or any kind of salad. Almost one third of available feature menus preparations with sugar and / or added sugar (33.8%), feed concentrates or dried powders (27.5%), biscuits (35.6%), flatulent food and / or difficult digestion (30.0%), monotone color (31.9%) and fried foods, fatty meats and fatty sauces (28.8%). With regard to good practices, all school canteens were classified as having regular health risk. The average conformities found was 69.7% (± 3.83). The buildings block and facilities of food preparation area obtained 48% of compliance; equipment for temperature controlled, 45%; handlers, 92%; receiving, 100%; processes and products, 41%; and environmental hygiene, 84%. According to microbiological parameters, no food was deemed unfit for human consumption. However, there was a high rate of contamination of water from drinking fountains, given that 48.43% of the samples were positive for total coliforms and 12.50% for Escherichia coli. Conclusion: There are barriers to the PNAE to take effect fully, especially with regard to nutritional inadequacies of the menu and situations that compromise the nutritional quality. Even if the microbiological quality of school meals has been satisfactory, it is necessary to correct non-conformities in the use of BP. In addition, there is an urgent need for action to ensure the microbiological quality of water from drinking fountains, given their impact on the health of schoolchildren.