Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the hygiene/sanitation and food safety conditions in canteens of primary schools and kindergartens in a municipality of the North of Portugal in two distinct periods.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 17 school canteens. The sampling instrument used throughout the audits was a checklist, based on Portuguese and European legislation. Following the application of the checklist, the results were transformed into “conformities”, “non-conformities” and “not applicable.”
Results: The application of the checklist in canteens achieved a compliance rate ranging from 47% to 67% in 2007, a rate that increased in 2014 when the compliance percentage recorded ranged from 62% to 80%. While in 2007, the hygiene and food safety conditions were described as being “acceptable” and “not acceptable,” in 2014 they were considered to be “acceptable” and “good.” It can be concluded that over this 7-year period there was a positive evolution in school canteens regarding hygiene and food safety. However, there are still major non-conformities to be corrected. The increase of hygiene and food safety standards and the elimination of the existing non-conformities can only be achieved with the help and commitment of schools and fund managers.
Significance: The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of hygiene and food safety conditions in elementary schools and kindergartens’ canteens in the municipality of Viana do Castelo, Portugal in two distinct time periods, separated by 7 years.