Free markets in Brazil are a traditional place where people meet, exchange knowledge, have fun and sell a wide variety of food products on a large scale. However, these products have qualities that are questioned by consumers, since the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the places of sale and the measures used by market traders are often precarious and outdated, a fact that threatens consumer food safety. In addition, there is a lack of instructions and supervision from the competent bodies to help these workers handle their products properly. In view of this reality, this work highlights a survey carried out at the open market in the municipality of Pereiro-Ce, focusing on the whole issue surrounding the hygiene and health conditions of leafy vegetables sold at the open market in that town.