Investigation of the quality of water used in the agroindustries of milk and derivates in a city of southwest of Paraná

Abstract

Currently, a municipality in the southwest of Paraná is in the process of joining the SUSAF (Unified State System of Family, Craft, and Small-Size Agroindustrial Health). For that, the agroindustries that wish to join must follow a series of requirements related to self-control programs in a way that guarantees food safety, identity, quality, and integrity through procedures defined by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply). Thus, given the importance of self-control programs in food establishments, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the quality of the water used in the agroindustries of milk and dairy products in this municipality regarding the presence of total coliforms and E. coli (Escherichia coli) as well as parameters of chlorine content, pH and temperature. In addition, a questionnaire related to the SUSAF program has been applied to understand its structures and the development of its self-control programs. When verifying the results concerning residual chlorine, it is observed that they do not comply with the legislation on water potability standards (BRASIL, 2021). The presence of total coliforms and E. coli in the water used in the participating companies was also identified, a reason for concern for the final consumer, who is exposed to the possibility of contracting a Foodborne Disease. These results are directly linked to the self-control programs developed by the agroindustry or due to the lack of implementation of these. It was concluded that the agroindustries interested in joining the SUSAF are partially adequate concerning the physical structure aspects. Still, it is suggested that their self-control programs be reassessed.