Most of the vendors stored their left-overs in ambient temperatures; this is quite risky
because safety from contamination by pathogenic organisms was not assured and the
maintenance of optimal qualities of colour, texture and nutritive value were not put into
consideration.
DISCUSSION
Most of the street food vendors neither underwent any form of formal training in food
preparation nor did they attempt to seek it. According to FAO [12], food handlers should
have the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to handle food hygienically.
Systems should be put in place to ensure that food handlers remain aware of all
procedures necessary to maintain the safety and suitability of food. FAO [11]recommends that every vendor/helper of food should undergo a basic training in food
hygiene before licensing.
Water for street food preparation was not enough. This resulted in vendors using little
water for washing utensils hence hygiene was compromised. This study is in agreement
with a study done in Accra on the safety of street food, which found that running water
was not available [13]. Without enough water, hygiene and sanitary practices cannot be
met. World Bank [14]asserts that safe water is an essential pillar for health. Latham [1]
emphasises that personal hygiene can only be achieved if adequate water is available.
Therefore, vendors should have sufficient potable water for drinking, preparation of all
kinds of foods and sufficient running water for all washing operations.
Stalls were poorly constructed. They could not give proper protection of the street foods
from dust and smoke from vehicles. The same results were formed by the study
conducted on street foods in Accra that found that the stands were crude structures [13].
The material used for the construction of the stalls was not able to protect the food from
dust, given that all the stalls was built on the roadsides, which were dusty and prone to
smoke from cars. Dust carries many microbes that may be pathogenic if left to settle on
prepared foods. FAO [15] notes that foods should be prepared in a place set aside
exclusively for that purpose, while the place of preparation should be kept clean at all
times and should be far from any source of contamination (rubbish, waste waster, dust
and animals). Vending stalls should be designed and constructed so that they are easily
cleaned and maintained. The Ministry of Local Government should design appropriate
food vending stalls.