Ninety-three sausage samples collected in the Central Market of Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil were analyzed for the occurrence of Salmonella sp. and fecal coliform counts. Salmonella sp. was absent in all collected samples. Fourteen samples of fresh pork sausage had fecal coliform counts above the established in the legislation in force at the time of sample collection. On the other hand, only five of these samples would be classified as unfit to be consumed, according the legislation in force now. Most samples with fecal counts above 5x10²/g were from sausages stored at temperatures above the recommended at the time of collection.
Salmonella; sausage; fecal coliforms
