Avaliação da qualidade de picolé de buriti, produzido e comercializado em Teresina - PI

Abstract

The ice cream sector is booming in the Brazilian market, and, in order to meet the consumer requirements, who is increasingly concerned about buying safe foods, the legislation requires food companies to invest in a quality control system to avoid the incidence of foodborne diseases. For this reason, this research aimed at evaluate the quality of Buriti popsicles, produced and traded in Teresina – PI, by a small local company, which is the only one that produces Buriti pulp popsicles, that is handcrafted and is the best-selling flavor. The production of these popsicles was evaluated through a technical visit to the local company, where a check-list was applied, according to the law number 266/2003. These products are sold through walking carts that circulate at the city center. These carts were labeled from A to D, and for three weeks, samples of the product were collected, totaling 72 samples. Macroscopic and microscopic analyzes were realized looking for dirt; microbiological analyzes were performed to detect Coliforms and Salmonella, and mold and yeast counting; physicochemical analyzes were made; also mandatory labeling analyzes; net weight and sale exposure conditions. The results obtained in the check-list classified the company as high risk, according to the law number 266/2003; no apparent dirt was found, as noted by law number 14/2004. The microbiological analyzes showed negative results to Coliforms and positive to Salmonella spp. The physicochemical tests showed that there were no changes in the samples over the weeks, however, the centesimal composition, used to verify the nutrient contents, was not in agreement with the product datasheet. Mandatory labeling was not in accordance with the provisions by law number 259/2002 and 360/2003; net weight contrasted with what was exposed on the packaging, and, the conditions of sale exposure did not meet the requirements by law number 266/2003. The research found that the production and traded conditions of the product are unsatisfactory and it may cause risks to the consumer.