Hygienic and Sanitary Practices of vendors of Street Foods in Nairobi Kenya.
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Date
2005
Authors
Muinde, O.K.
Kuria, E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Rural Outreach Program
Abstract
The street food industry has an important role in the cities and towns of many
developing countries in meeting the food demands of the urban dwellers. It feeds
millions of people daily with a wide variety of foods that are relatively cheap and
easily accessible. Street food sector symbolizes the street life in Africa and it
operates in an unstable and precarious state because the sector lacks legal
recognition. There have been noticeable increases of food vendors in Nairobi, who
sell both raw and cooked food items. There are not regulated, they operate
haphazardly without any monitoring of what they prepare and how they do it. A
study to determine hygienic and sanitary practices of vendors of street foods in
Nairobi was carried out using a descriptive survey design. A sample size of 80 street
food vendors selling commonly consumed foods was selected. Data was collected
using in-depth interview schedules and observation checklists. Information from the
study shows that vendors lacked training on food preparation. About 62% obtained
food preparation skills through observation while 33% were taught by their parents
in non-formal settings. The preparation surfaces used for the preparation of raw
foods were not washed regularly. Cooked foods were stored at ambient temperature
in cupboards, plastic bowls, jugs and buckets were just left in the open uncovered.
Eighty-five per cent of the vendors had garbage and waste bins beside the food
stalls. Personal hygiene was not also observed, as the vendors never covered their
heads, handled money and food at the same time and they did not wear
overcoats/aprons and handled food with bare hand. Street food vendors were not
aware of hygienic and sanitary practice. The food is sold to unsuspecting clients who
are likely to get food-borne diseases. This study recommends the establishment of
street food centres by the city council, the training of street food vendors on hygiene,
sanitation and the establishment of code of practice for the street food industry and
the empowerment of Public Health Officers
Description
Keywords
Street foods, hygiene, sanitation
Citation
African Journal of Food Agriculture and Nutritional Development (AJFAND): Volume 5 No 1 2005