Food Safety Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Street Food Vendors and the Challenge to Food Security: The case of vending sheds around Mexico Square, Addis Ababa
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Date
2022-10-25
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Street foods are common in in Addis Ababa. Although the business is considered as informal and illegal by the city administration, street food operation creates significant self-employment opportunities and contributes to the food security of low-income consumers and vendors. The food security status and food safety knowledge and practice of 160 stationary street food vendors was assessed around Mexico Square, Addis Ababa. A detailed site observation was made around vending sites. Household food insecurity experience and food safety KAP of vending households was assessed using standard questionnaires. Job-specific interviews were made on street food operation with key informants from among woreda officials and consumers. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and opinions of key informants were described. About 72% of the street food vendors were female. Over 90% were adolescents or young adults and 30% had more than three children. About 71% of vendor households were either moderately or severely food insecure. Vendors had good knowledge (81%), moderate attitude (74%) but very poor practice (14%) in food safety. Street food vending was the only source of affordable meals to low income groups in the study area. Meals were served and consumed immediately after cooking minimizing food safety risks. As street food vending creates economic and physical access to the low-paid urban poor and is a livelihood to poor families, it may be useful to recognize its positive role in mitigating food insecurity. Government control on food safety compliance, allocation of vending zones, and giving training to street food vendors could improve safety of street foods.
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Street foods, food safety KAP, food security