Hygienic and sanitary conditions in food establishments and their impact on public health

The research was conducted to evaluate the hygienic and sanitary conditions of food establishments in the Esmeraldas canton. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational design was applied to 54 establishments—including restaurants, cafeterias, and street vendors—using a checklist based on national regulations and PAHO good hygiene practices guidelines. The results revealed a heterogeneous scenario: while sectors such as Vía Atacames and Comedores-Las Palmas achieved high levels of compliance in most of the parameters evaluated, locations such as the Municipal Market and Codesa presented critical deficiencies in pest control, sanitary maintenance, and staff health. These aspects are identified as the weakest points and pose the greatest risk to food safety. The statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between sectors, demonstrating that not all establishments face the same challenges. Although product safety and the use of materials and equipment yielded favorable results, deficiencies in staff hygiene and basic infrastructure increased vulnerability to foodborne illnesses. In conclusion, the study showed that, despite the existence of national regulations and technical manuals, their implementation on the ground remains uneven. It highlights the need to strengthen health surveillance, implement periodic training, and replicate good practices from the sectors with the best results, to protect public health and guarantee the right to safe food for the Esmeraldas population.