Assessment of Good Handling Practices and Infrastructure in Food Trucks in Recife/Pernambuco

The expansion of the food-away-from-home sector has increased the popularity of food trucks, necessitating assessment of their hygienic-sanitary conditions. However, there is a notable gap in recent empirical studies evaluating the compliance of this segment with the current Brazilian sanitary legislation, particularly RDC nº. 724/2022. This cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study, analyzed conditions in food trucks in Recife, Pernambuco/Brazil. Data collection involved a socioeconomic questionnaire administered to thirteen owners and an observational checklist. Data underwent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Owner profiles showed a predominance of females (75%), aged 31–40 years (50%), with complete high school education (50%), and exclusive business dedication (100%). Handling practices revealed severe inadequacies: only 30% wore complete uniforms, 40% were without adornments, 33% had adequate nails, and 50% refrained from eating during work. Conversely, physical infrastructure showed high compliance: equipment/utensils (75%), environment hygiene (78%), and vector/pest control (85%). Inferential analysis confirmed statistically significant non-compliances in personal hygiene (P<0.05), while infrastructure items significantly exceeded the 50% compliance threshold. A critical dichotomy exists between adequate infrastructure and failures in operational/personal hygiene practices, indicating an urgent need for continuous Good Handling Practices training and instructive regulatory action to minimize food safety risks and ensure public health.