Ocorrência de partículas magnéticas em açúcar produzido e comercializado no Estado de São Paulo/Brasil

This study reports the results of microscopic analysis for detecting and identifying magnetic particles in granulated sugar produced and commercialized in the regions of Ribeirao Preto, Bauru and Campinas of Sao Paulo State. The National Health Surveillance Agency through the REALI (Alert and Communication of Risks in Foods Network) no17/2011 requested for the Sanitary Surveillance Groups action for supervising and collecting samples from sugar factories after consumers complaints. Sixty samples collected between 2011 e 2012 were analyzed at the Centers for Regional Laboratories of these three regions. The methodologies of scattering sample (Zamboni, 1986) and of dissolution of sample (AOAC, 2005) were employed for detecting the magnetic particles, and the results were evaluated according to legislations in force. Of 41 samples collected in 2011, 41.5 % contained magnetic particles up to 4.5 mm of length, and of 19 samples analyzed in 2012, 21.1 % contained particles up to 2.0 mm, which indicate fails in good practical of manufacture and potentials health risks, which require corrective measures in production. It is crucial to institute a legislation to set benchmarks and limits for the presence of these particles, and the greater integration among industry, scientific community and regulatory agencies to ensure safe food production.