EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF A FOOD AND NUTRITION UNIT

A Food and Nutrition Unit (FNU) is an establishment responsible for the production of meals, which aims to provide a balanced diet, and food that is of sufficient quantity, good quality, and appropriate for the characteristics and habits of its users, as well as safe from the point of view of hygiene. This methodological study used descriptive research to evaluate the conditions of the physical structure of a FNU, in a city located in southwestern Parana. We used the RDC n degrees 275 criteria of 21 October 2002, to determine whether the structural conditions are conducive to obtain safe food. The response options for completing the checklist were for items in compliance (C), for items not compliant (NC), for items missed and not applicable (NA) for the items noted in the evaluated establishments. After data collection, the establishment was classified, which refers to a score from 0 to 50% of the items covered, with group 3 obtaining a percentage of 39% of the items noted accordingly. The results obtained found some problems in the physical structure of FNU. There was need for correction to ensure the quality of food, to conform to the correct standard for physical structure of an FNU, concluding that the unit in poor condition requires changes to improve the unit, to implement quality systems in the physical structure of the FNU.