An assessment of health risks and food safety among street food vendors. Highfield Lusaka, Harare · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Jinga, Primrose

Title

An assessment of health risks and food safety among street food vendors. Highfield Lusaka, Harare

Abstract

To satisfy the dietary needs of urban residents, the street food business is crucial in the cities and towns of many emerging nations, including Zimbabwe. Every day, a vast array of reasonably priced and conveniently obtainable foods are provided to millions of individuals. Due to its lack of legal legitimacy, the industry functions dangerously, representing African street life. The primary objective of this study was to assess the food safety and hygiene practices of street food vendors in Harare, Highfield, Lusaka, and Musika. A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data at a certain point in time. The sample included both fixed and mobile retailers to ensure representation. The sample size for the study consisted of 74 street food vendors. To satisfy the dietary needs of urban residents, the street food business is crucial in the cities and towns of many emerging nations, including Zimbabwe. Every day, a vast array of reasonably priced and conveniently obtainable foods are provided to millions of individuals. Due to its lack of legal legitimacy, the industry functions dangerously, representing African street life. The primary objective of this study was to assess the food safety and hygiene practices of street food vendors in Harare, Highfield, Lusaka, and Musika. A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data at a certain point in time. The sample included both fixed and mobile retailers to ensure representation. The sample size for the study consisted of 74 street food vendors. According to the study's preliminary findings, a significant portion of street food sellers had very little knowledge of recommended practices for food safety. The results revealed that 73% of vendors covered their food, 59.5 percent separated raw food from cooked food, and 36.5% of sellers lacked access to clean water. Furthermore, it was found that 14.9% of vendors had food safety medical certificates, 89.2% employed staff without such certificates, and 29.7% of them failed to utilize color-coded chopping boards. To lessen the health risks connected with street food selling, this emphasizes the need for better working conditions, access to basic utilities, and food education and enforcement. To improve vendors' awareness and encourage safe food handling procedures, more laws and training programs might be put in place. Establishing and implementing proper policies and procedures requires cooperation between government agencies, health organizations, and vendors. Creating awareness among consumers about the significance of selecting safe and hygienic street food vendors; conducting routine inspections to ensure compliance with food safety standards and identify areas requiring improvement; implementing regular training programs to educate street food vendors about proper food handling, hygiene practices, and food safety regulations; and, finally, encouraging collaboration between government authorities, health agencies, and street food vendors to develop and enforce effective regulations and guidelines. By implementing these suggestions, street food sellers' food safety procedures can be improved, health risks can be decreased, and the general public can be guaranteed to have access to wholesome and safe street food. Collaboration between governmental organizations, health organizations, and vendors is necessary to establish and execute appropriate policies and guidelines. educating street food vendors through ongoing training programs about safe food handling techniques, hygiene standards, and food safety laws; conducting routine inspections to verify compliance with food safety standards and pinpoint areas in need of improvement; raising consumer awareness of the significance of selecting hygienic and safe street food vendors; and, finally, encouraging cooperation between government agencies, health organizations, and street food vendors to create and enforce efficient rules and guidelines. By implementing these suggestions, street food sellers' food safety procedures can be improved, the public's access to healthy and safe street food can be ensured, and health hazards can be decreased.

Date

JUNE 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

street food, vending, health and safety, hygiene and hygiene, Highfield Lusaka, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Supervisor

Mr. Chiboyiwa