Outline of the consumers’s profile and ranking of the trading outlets for oysters in Valença, Bahia State, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to carry out an opinion poll with consumers and owners of specialized seafood outlets  regarding the quality of the oysters, through the appraisal of their microbiological characteristics and hygienic and  saniltary conditions of the outlet. The survey‘s research took place in three stores (R1, R2 and R3), located in Valença,  lower southern Bahia State. In addition to the application of semi-structured questionnaires with consumers and owners,  and the rundown of a check list in the store, counting of  Staphylococcus  coagulase positive, heterotrophic aerobic  mesophilic bacteria and coliforms at 45 o C, was performed, and the presence of  Escherichia coli and  Salmonella spp.  in oysters registered. According to the results consumers and owners do not worry about the hygienic sanitary quality  of food consumed, as well as the source of raw material obtained. The stores showed inadequate physical and sanitary  conditions, being R1 and R2 classified as Group II (51% to 75% of conformities) and R3 classified as Group III (0 to 50%  of conformities). Failures observed during manipulation of food affect its safety, on the account an observed high microbial  load mainly due to the presence of  Staphylococcus  coagulasis positive.