The present study was to evaluate, through the forms of inspection, the sanitary conditions of restaurants registered for Sanitary Surveillance (VISA) in the municipality of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. This study included 315 inspection forms, from 120 restaurants with sanitary permits from January 2006 to December 2010. The following variables: (a) food storage conditions, (b) equipment for hot and cold storage, (c) the physical structure of establishment and (d) hygienic and sanitary conditions of food handlers, were compiled and evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed by SAS (Statistical Analysis System) version 9.2 and submitted to the chi-square and Fischer tests. It was observed that in 2009 there were higher rates of nonconformities in the legal hygienic and sanitary aspects in the establishments studied. Such fact can be related to the increasing of the number of health inspectors hired, decentralization of surveillance division, what allowed the achievement of a more detailed inspection forms, and consequently there is an increase in official reports. Additionally, in 2010, food establishments had better rates of conformity with food good manufacturing practices. Based on the information obtained, it was found that the services provided by the VISA of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil are in increasing development.
food; public health; epidemiology; health inspection
