Infrastructure and Hygiene in the Production of School Food: An Exploratory Study in Indigenous Paxot Communities, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil

Introduction: Despite being one of the oldest food programs in Brazil, the National School Food Programme (NSFP) still has its weaknesses regarding implementation.  Studies, that reflect this perspective, have raised concerns about the safety of food offered and there is very little research on the reality of the programs application, in indigenous communities.

Purpose: Given the high density of the indigenous population in southern Bahia, this study sought to characterize the structural and hygienic conditions in the production of school food within Pataxó communities in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: This is an exploratory study, conducted amongst three villages - Old Village, Jaqueira and Juerana.  For data collection, we used a checklist based on Resolution 275/2002 and RDC 216/2004, of the National Agency of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health. Rates of compliance were then calculated with technical requirements for evaluation dimensions. 

Results: The results revealed irregularities among school kitchens in indigenous communities, with regards to the safety of food purchased and supplied by NSFP. Overall in this assessment, non-conformance in school canteens within the villages, Jaqueira, Old Village and Juerana reached 80%, 76% and 71%, respectively. Amongst the dimensions evaluated, structural and environmental conditions in relation to hygiene in food preparation were critical factors in contributing to the low performances recorded. Indicators related to the hygiene of food handlers and levels of care in cleaning procedures were also unsatisfactory.

Significance: The study revealed loopholes in the safety of the production of school meals in the indigenous Pataxó communities, indicating the need for intervention. Measures are required to improve the production of meals and to protect the health of beneficiaries.