GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES ASSESSMENT AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM: THE FIRST STATE DIAGNOSIS IN SERGIPE/BRAZIL

The National School Feeding Program (NSFP) is an essential tool to guarantee Food and Nutrition Security. The NSFP in Brazil is a worldwide reference for its execution, although it faces challenges such as the compliance of Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) in the School Food and Nutrition Units (SFNU). GHP are essential to guarantee food safety, so it needs to be assessed frequently. Therefore, this study aimed to give the first ever GHP diagnosis at a state level. Secondary data of GHP collected in 2019 by nutritionists working as technical managers at the NSFP were provided by the Educational and Culture State Department of Sergipe. In total, there were 316 state schools analyzed. The GHP was assessed by the Checklist for Best Practices in School Food and Nutrition Units, developed by the Brazilian National Education Development Fund. Descriptive statistical analysis were applied to this sample. Results point out a total amount of 106.067 on average meals offered a day in the state. For GHP, the six thematic blocks presented means adequacy of 61,47% for Structure and facilities, 57,43% for Controlled temperature equipment, 73,61% for Handlers, 98,25% for Reception, 51,52% for Processes and production and 61,22% for Environmental hygiene. All of these scores classify as a regular sanitary risk (R3), alongside the general score mean of 64,61%. Accordingly, it emerges the need for better compliance of GHP in the state, mainly related to the processes and production and controlled temperature equipment, which have a huge importance on GHP in SFNU. Therefore, this study adds itself to the literature demonstrating the need for diagnostic studies in SFNU. This work was able to conclude the first diagnosis of GHP in an entire state. Further researches are encouraged to include more robust statistical analysis and a better result representation in the study.