Avaliação das Condições Higiênico-Sanitárias de Leite Cru e Queijo Coalho Comercializados em Mercados Públicos no Norte do Piauí

The microbiological quality of raw milk and rennet cheese is directly related to the production and commercialization of the product. Current research evaluated the hygiene-sanitary conditions by detecting microorganisms that indicate contamination of raw milk and rennet cheese commercialized in public markets in Parnaiba PI Brazil. Sixteen samples of raw milk and 16 samples of rennet cheese (8 samples kept under refrigeration and 8 without) were collected in four different public outlets between April and October 2012. Eleven out of 16 samples of raw milk had a high number of total and thermotolerant coliforms. Twelve out of the 16 samples of rennet cheese had high total coliforms, with eleven exceeding standards by the health department ANVISA. Cheese conservation was also assessed and results revealed that raw milk and rennet cheese are commercialized in Parnaiba without hygiene and sanitary precautions. The final product exhibited a high number of microorganisms indicating contamination, with great risks for public health.