Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad microbiológica y sanitaria de los puestos de venta ambulatoria de alimentos (PVAA) del distrito de Comas. Materiales y métodos: De agosto a noviembre del 2000, se evaluaron la calidad microbiológica y sanitaria de 61 PVAA del Distrito de Comas, Lima-Perú. Para la parte microbiológica se analizaron el número de coliformes fecales y la presencia de Salmonella spp en muestras de alimentos (02), agua, superficies inertes y superficies vivas; y para la evaluación sanitaria se empleó una encuesta de factores de riesgo (20 características). Resultados: 60.7% de PVAA superaron los límites aceptables de coliformes fecales en una o más muestras analizadas. Por tipo de muestra de alimentos, 41.0% de PVAA tuvieron un alimento no apto para el consumo humano (NAPCH) y 19.7% ambos alimentos NAPCH (coliformes fecales100 NMP/g), y respecto a las muestras de agua, superficies inertes y superficies vivas, se encontraron resultados microbiológicos inaceptables (coliformes fecales100 NMP/g) en 32.8%, 42.6% y 49.2% de los PVAA, respectivamente. No se encontró Salmonella spp en ninguna de las muestras evaluadas. Sobre la evaluación sanitaria, 90.2% de los PVAA tuvieron "Riesgo Sanitario Alto", observándose deficiencias estructurales y culturales de manipulación e higiene de alimentos. Finalmente, se encontró relación entre los resultados microbiológicos; y las características de evaluación sanitaria. Conclusiones: La calidad microbiológica y sanitaria de los PVAA del distrito de Comas presentaron deficiencias, constituyéndose en un problema potencial de salud para nuestro medio.

Objective: To assess microbiologial and sanitary status of food selling places (FSP) in the District of Comas. Materials and methods: 61 FSP were assessed in the District of Comas between August-November 2000 to check out their sanitary and microbiological quality. The number of faecal coliforms and the presence of Salmonella spp in food samples (02), water, non-living surfaces and living surfaces was assessed for the microbiological trial; an inquiry about risk factors (20 characteristics) was used for the sanitary trial. Results: In one or more samples analyzed; 60.7% of the ambulatory selling places surplus the limits allowed for faecal coliform. Taking into account the type of sample, 41.0% had one kind of food that was not appropriate for human consume, 19.7% had two different foods non appropriate for human use both foods (faecal coliforms>100 NMP/g). Regarding water, non-living surfaces and living surfaces unacceptable microbiological findings were obtained (faecal coliforms>100 NMP/g) in 32.8%, 42.6% and 49.2% of the ambulatory selling places. Salmonella spp was not found in neither of the samples. Regarding the sanitary trial, 90.2% of the ambulatory selling places were determined as at "Sanitary High Risk", showing structural and cultural failures in food handling and hygiene. Finally, relationship between microbiological findings and the sanitary evaluation characteristics was found. Conclusions: Microbiological and sanitary status of the ambulatory food selling places in the District of Comas showed failures, which may lead into a potential health problem for our environment.