1.1 Background to the Study
A street vendor us broadly defined as a person who offers goods for sale to the public without having a permanent built-up structure from which to sell. Street vendors may be stationary I.e occupying space, or they may be mobile. The street food industry plays an important role in cities and towns of many developing countries both economically and in meeting food demands of city in dwellers (Muinde and Kuria, 2005). Street food is a common occurrence in public places, particularly n cities where it often fulfills a bassey c need to the urban inhabitants (Rahman et al., 2016). An urban survey in Bangkok revealed 39.6% people eating at restaurants and /or street vended food at least once a day and 32.6% consuming it twice a day (Waltanasiriwit, 2007). Availability and accessibility rather than individual income or stage of national development seem to determine street food consumption patterns. In many countries, workers as well as students have their first meal of the day from the street food vendors (Winarno and Alliance, 2017). According to a 2007 study from Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food everyday (Fellows and Hilmi, 2011).
Street food vendors prepare food in an informal settings and are thus exposed to climate and temperature changes, poor sanitation and unsafe water supply. The food prepared in these conditions is usually unsanitary and unhygienic. It poses a health risk to the consumer in the form of food borne diseases (World Health Organization, 2003). The world Health Organization (WHO), in 1996 recommended its member nations to regulate street food vending and ensure proper education of the vendors regarding hygienic practices (WHO, 1996). Food borne diseases are on a rise in both developed and developing countries, in particular, diarrheal diseases which result in estimated 1.9million deaths annually (Farthing et al., 2013).
Street food is consumed by a significant member of people around the globe on a daily basis. In Malaysia alone, street food is reported to generate a business worth 2.2 billion annually (Wimarmo and Allain, 1991). Considering the importance of street food, a survey was conducted by WHO, findings of which reported street food to constitute a major source of food consumption for urban population in 74% countries.
1.2 Problem Statement
Street food vendors prepare food in an informal settings and are thus exposed to climate and temperature changes, poor sanitation and unsafe water supply. The food prepared in these conditions is usually unsanitary a d unhygienic which poses a health risk to consumer in terms of food borne diseases (World Health Organization, 2003).
1.3 Objectives of the study
The major objective of the study was to assess attitudes and practices if food vendors in preparation of food, its storage and dispensing.
1.4 Research Questions
(1) who are the street vendors?
(2) What is the educational level of street vendors in Nigeria?
(3) Is there any form of seminar for food vendors regarding hygienic practices of food?
1.5 Significance of the study
The research gives a clear insight to the attitudes and practices of street food vendors in preparation of food, its storage and dispensing. By highlighting the problem, this paper tends to initiate the process of policy making and intervention by relevant quarter, in order to decrease chances of food borne diseases.
1.6 Limitations of the study
Limitations of this study were a relatively less sample size and the fact that this study was carried out in an urban setting, the facilities which could vary significantly from a rural area.
1.7 Scope of the study
The research focus on assessing attitudes and practices of street food vendors in preparation of food, its storage and dispensing.
References
Farthing, M., Salam, M.A., Lindberg, G., Site, P., Khalif, I., Salazar Limdo, E. and Krabshuis, J. (2013). Acute diarrhea in adults and children: a global perspective. Journal.of clinical gastroenterology, 47(1), 12-20.
Fellows, P., and Hilmi, M. (2011). Selling street and Snack foods. Retrieved November 01, 2015.
Muinde, O.K., and Kutia,E. (2005). Hygienic and Sanitary practices of vendors of street foods in Nairobi Kenya. African journal of Food , Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 5(1).
Rahman,M.M., Arid, M.T., Bakar, K., and bt Talib, Z. (2016). Food Safety Knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices among the street food vendors in Northern Kuching city, Sarawak , Borneo Science, 31.
Wattanasiriwit, W. (2007). The safety of street food in chatuchak weekend marker, Bangkok metropolitan.
Winarmi, F.G., and Alliance, A. (2017). Street Foods in developing countries, Retrieved November 20, 2017.
Word Health Organization (2003). Assuring Food Safety and Quality. Retrieved November 01, 2015.
World Health Organization (1996). Essential Safety requirements for Street vended food. Retrieved November 01, 2015.
