Análise crítica sobre os limites e critérios microbiológicos nacionais e internacionais usados no âmbito de controlo de produtos alimentares de origem aquática, em Moçambique

Abstract

Fish is a food that can lose quality since its capture through physiological and microbiological biochemical reactions. Being an extremely perishable food, it requires great care in handling during the production chain to avoid causing considerable damage. The aim of the work was to analyse the chemical and microbiological limits and criteria used in the control of food products of aquatic origin in Mozambique. To carry out this work, an analysis of normative documents was carried out, such as national and international notices, laws and decrees used to control the quality of foods of aquatic origin. For the process of obtaining data, questionnaires were used, one directed to the public sector and the other to the private sector. In the public sector, the questionnaire was divided into four categories with open and closed questions that allowed the necessary information to be obtained. And in the private sector, the questionnaire was structured with open and closed questions to obtain the necessary information. The results show a greater number of microbiological quality control parameters for food products of aquatic origin in national regulations in relation to other countries such as Brazil and the European Union, presenting all the parameters described in national legislation and the NMKL methods are the most used for analysis. of these microbiological parameters, for E. coli the ISO TS 16649-3 method is also used. The results also show 22% difficulties in applying the criteria established in notice n◦ 02/2011 INIP, 78% success in applying the notice, and regarding updating the limits of microbiological criteria applied within the scope of fish control, 33% responded that are not updated and 67% responded that they are updated. The following conclusions were reached, many irregularities are committed within the scope of quality control of the product made available to consumers, which compromises public health. National quality control regulations for food products of aquatic origin have a greater number of parameters compared to other countries. One of the main challenges in the application of microbiological criteria and limits in the control of food products of aquatic origin in Mozambique is the acquisition of new equipment in line with the reality of the cases (new fish diseases) and non-compliance with the legal framework for fish. requires notification to the competent authorities.