Quality control of food products purchased by the National School-Feeding Programme in Pernambuco, northeast Brazil, from 1985 to 1988.

The effectiveness of the Quality Control System (QCS) implemented by the Fundação de Assistência ao Escolar (FAE) for quality control of food products from different types and origins purchased by the National School-Feeding Programme (NSFP) in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, was evaluated. Physicochemical, microbiological, microscopical and organopetical analyses were performed in 4,860 food samples and the main causes of alterations were detected. Perishability was the characteristic used for distribution of food items into 3 main groups: A, B, and C. In accordance with 972 Quality Certificates between 1985 and 1988, 31.89 of the samples were rejected. The main reasons for rejection were innacuracies of net weight and drained weight and high moisture contents. Group B presented the smallest number of altered samples (27%); for Groups A and C these values were 33% and 44%, respectively. Our data lead to the conclusion that the QCS implemented by FAE is of paramount importance for an adequate quality control of foods provided to beneficiaries and for a good cost effectiveness of the school-feeding programme.

PIP: In Brazil, approximately 25 million children from state elementary schools are covered by the National School-Feeding Program (NSFP). Since 1985 a quality control system (QCS) has supervised the foods distributed by the NSFP. The control of 24 accredited laboratories, called Basis Units (BUs), includes collection, inspection, and analysis. The effectiveness of the QCS was investigated after 4 years of implementation in Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 4860 samples of food (972 lots) was collected, inspected, and analyzed between 1985 and 1988. Foods were distributed into: Group A (the least perishable goods: sugar, beans, rice, oil, salt), Group B (moderately perishable goods: biscuits, chocolate, manioc flour, corn, meal, dried skim milk, macaroni, sugar-cane syrup, canned sardines, ground corn) and Group C (the most perishable goods: dried and salted fish and meat). Physicochemical, organoleptical, microscopical, and microbiological analyses were performed by the Laboratory of Food Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco. Results were transcribed to the correspondent Quality Certificate and compared with standard values. Rejection occurred when only 1 critical alteration and/or 2 or more acceptable alterations were present in the food. Data from 972 Quality Certificates showed a slight decline in the rejection levels of food samples from 1985 to 1987, with a tendency towards stabilization in 1988. However, in 1988, rejection levels declined for Group B and increased for Groups A and C. About 31.89% of the total samples did not comply with the standards and were rejected. The highest and the lowest values for quality were found in samples of Group B and C, respectively; and intermediate values were detected in Group A. Group B presented the smallest number of altered samples (27%). The main reasons for rejection of foods in Group A were inaccuracies of the net weight, unsatisfactory grain classification, high moisture contents, and the presence of insects. The QCS is of paramount importance for beneficiaries' protection and for cost effectiveness of the school-feeding program.

Quality control of food products purchased by the National School-Feeding Programme in Pernambuco, northeast Brazil, from 1985 to 1988

The effectiveness of the Quality Control System (QCS) implemented by the Fundaçäo de Assistência ao Escolar (FAE) for quality control of food products from different types and origins purchased by the National School-Feeding Programme (NSFP) in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, was evaluated. Physicochemical, microbiological, microscopical and organopetical analyses were performed in 4,860 food samples and the main causes of alterations were detected. Perishability was the characteristic used for distribution of food items into 3 main groups: A, B, and C. In accordance with 972 Quality Certificates between 1985 and 1988, 31.89 of the samples were rejected. The main reasons for rejection were innacuracies of net weight and drained weight and high moisture contents. Group B presented the smallest number of altered samples (27%); for Groups A and C these values were 33% and 44%, respectively. Our data lead to the conclusion that the QCS implemented by FAE is of paramount importance for an adequate quality control of foods provided to beneficiaries and for a good cost effectiveness of the school-feeding programme