The objective of the present study was to determine the water activity and pH, as well as toenumerate coagulase positive Staphylococcus, total and fecal coliforms in 32 samples ofMinas meia cura cheese purchased in street markets in the southern region of the city of SãoPaulo. In order to classify the product in terms of percentage moisture content, 5 sampleswere submitted to the analysis. Mean values obtained in physical-chemical analyses were 0.96for water activity, 4.91 for pH. These values

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... o not represent obstacles for the multiplication /survival of agents of hygienic-sanitary importance in the product. Considering that the meanmoisture level was 40.31%, this cheese is classified as presenting medium moisture,according to the regulation RDC no.12. In the analyses performed, 40.62 % (13/32) of thesamples presented fecal coliform counts above the standard determined by the regulation, and28.12% (9/32) of them were above the standard for coagulase positive Staphylococcus. Itshould be pointed out that 3 (9.37%) of the samples were above the standards for bothanalyses. Thus, 19 (59.38%) samples were considered to be inadequate for consumptionbecause they presented at least one of the microbiological requirements above the legalstandards determined for the product, and therefore, were classified as "products ininadequate sanitary conditions".