Street food in urban West Africa: Insights into consumption patterns, vendor practices, and food safety in Benin's grilled meats and cooked dishes

The improper management of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from food services is a major cause of sewer blockages and environmental damage. This study examines FOG management in the restaurant sector of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico, from three complementary perspectives: the performance of the authorized formal collection system, management practices in food establishments, and the physicochemical characteristics of grease trap residues. These perspectives were addressed using official administrative records and reports from environmental authorities, structured surveys applied to kitchen staff, and laboratory analyses of grease trap samples collected in restaurants. The results reveal important institutional and structural constraints affecting FOG management. Only a limited number of authorized collectors operate actively, serving a small fraction of potential generators, while most food service establishments are micro- or small-sized businesses with limited technical and financial capacity to comply with regulations. A large portion of the sector consists of small, low-cost food service establishments with intensive oil use (e.g., street food vendors, sandwich shops, and set-menu restaurants), which contribute to widespread oil reuse and inadequate disposal practices. Laboratory analyses showed a high free fatty acids (FFAs) content and compositional profiles consistent with repeated oil use, with negative implications for sewer systems and waste management. Overall, the findings highlight the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, collection schemes tailored to micro-scale generators, and awareness campaigns while also indicating opportunities for FOG valorization within circular economy approaches, particularly through energy recovery pathways.

Background Listeria monocytogenes is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis but is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate in immunocompromised hosts. Evans syndrome, typically treated with prolonged high-dose corticosteroids and additional immunosuppressants, may predispose patients to severe opportunistic infection. Case presentation A 44-year-old man with Evans syndrome on prednisolone and azathioprine, and with recent disseminated cryptococcosis, presented with acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain after ingesting oyster-containing street food. The patient did not exhibit any fever or neurological symptoms. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, and mild renal and hepatic dysfunction. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings were unremarkable. Empirical cefoperazone/sulbactam was initiated for suspected intra-abdominal infection and escalated to meropenem because of clinical deterioration. Blood cultures subsequently grew Listeria monocytogenes , prompting a de-escalation to high-dose intravenous ampicillin, resulting in rapid symptomatic improvement. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed multiple small, oscillating vegetations on the native aortic valve, consistent with infective endocarditis, without heart failure or embolic complications. The patient completed a 6-week course of ampicillin therapy. Follow-up transesophageal echocardiography showed partial resolution of the vegetations. The corticosteroids and azathioprine were gradually tapered and then discontinued, with sustained remission of Evans syndrome and no recurrence of invasive infections. Conclusion This case likely represents the first reported instance of native-valve Listeria monocytogenes endocarditis in a patient with Evans syndrome. It highlights prolonged immunosuppression in Evans syndrome as a potential risk context for invasive listeriosis with cardiac involvement. Early blood culture, routine echocardiographic evaluation for Listeria bacteremia, and timely targeted therapy are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

Wômi, millet-based doughnut, is a street food widely consumed in Côte d’Ivoire. It is obtained by frying fermented millet dough, with or without the addition of baker’s yeast. The objective of this work was to determine the nutritional and microbiological characteristics of the most preferred wômi. Thus, a sensory preference test was conducted with both types of wômi collected from two producers in Yopougon municipality to identify the most preferred sample, which was then submitted to physicochemical, nutritional, and microbiological analysis using standard methods. Yeast-free wômi was the most appreciated by 85% tasters. Its average pH value and moisture content were 4.40 ± 0.12 and 25.88 ± 3.64% respectively. The average protein, ash, fat, and carbohydrate contents were 3.45 ± 0.09%, 0.70 ± 0.06%, 30.07 ± 1.59%, and 38.69 ± 4.03%, respectively, with an energy value of 409.14 ± 3.26 Kcal/100g. It also contained minerals like iron (15.49 ± 2.70 µg/g), potassium (16.46 ± 1.47 µg/g), and phosphorus (21.59 ± 0.86 µg/g). Total Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria, yeasts, and molds were present in all productions, while total coliforms and Thermotolerant coliforms were also present in the 4th production. Pathogens were not detected in the samples analyzed. The yeast-free wômi could thus improve the diets of malnourished populations.

Street food constitutes a distinctive component of urban tourism, offering cultural, experiential, and practical value while simultaneously raising concerns related to food safety and hygiene. Despite growing academic interest in street food consumption, existing research has predominantly focused on international tourists, leaving the behavioral mechanisms of domestic tourists underexplored. This study aims to examine the determinants of domestic tourists’ intention to consume street food by applying an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in the context of Hanoi, Vietnam. A quantitative survey was conducted with 328 domestic tourists who had experienced street food during their visits to Hanoi. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results confirm that the core TPB constructs—attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control—significantly influence street food consumption intention. In addition, contextual factors play a critical role: food safety perception strongly shapes both attitude and perceived behavioral control, while trust in vendors and convenience enhance perceived behavioral control. Street food experience positively influences attitude, albeit to a lesser extent. The findings demonstrate that domestic tourists’ street food consumption intention is jointly determined by psychological evaluations and situational conditions. This study extends the TPB by integrating context-specific variables relevant to informal food consumption and contributes empirical evidence from an urban destination in an emerging economy. The results offer practical implications for managing street food as a tourism asset while addressing safety, trust, and accessibility concerns.

Background: Street food vending plays a central role in urban nutrition and informal employment across South Africa; however, its sustainability largely depends on consumer trust, which is strongly influenced by perceptions of hygiene. Objectives: This paper investigates customer expectations, observed hygiene behaviours, and purchasing decisions within Johannesburg’s informal food economy. Drawing on the Health Belief Model and behavioural economics, this study examines how visible hygiene practices shape customer trust, repurchase behaviour, and gendered risk perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 110 consumers of street-vended food in Johannesburg’s inner city. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess associations between observed hygiene practices, trust, and purchasing behaviour, while qualitative open-ended responses were analysed thematically. Results: Seventy-four per cent of customers reported preferring vendors with visible hygiene practices, defined as the use of gloves or aprons, clean food displays, and observable handwashing. However, only 41% consistently observed handwashing between transactions, and just 45% had seen any form of hygiene certification displayed. An association was observed between customer trust and repeat purchases (p < 0.001) and between PPE use and customer trust (p = 0.011). Women were significantly more hygiene-sensitive (p = 0.029), expressing greater concern about exposed food, hand contact, and environmental conditions. Thematic analysis revealed that over half of the respondents indicated that trust, once compromised by unhygienic conditions, frequently resulted in permanent customer loss. Conclusions: Customer trust in street food vendors is contingent on hygiene. Hygiene visibility is a core driver of loyalty, especially among female consumers. Interventions to improve food safety should incorporate behavioural insights, vendor-customer feedback loops, and public-facing certification strategies.

Food safety and hygiene practices utilized by native street food vendors in Yamfo Community, Ghana and its impact on consumer health.

Factors influencing consumers in purchasing street food in Malaysia

ABSTRACT Access to safe and nutritious food is key to promoting health and well‐being. Globally, one in 10 people fall ill after eating contaminated food, resulting in a global annual burden of 33 million disability‐adjusted life years. A pan India cross‐sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, behavior and practices (KABP) on food safety norms and standards of three important stakeholder groups at food production and processing levels viz. (1) food service establishment owners/managers ( n = 260), (2) food handlers ( n = 221), and (3) street food vendors ( n = 115). Findings across all stakeholders indicated that food safety training and years of work experience were significantly associated with higher knowledge and combined KABP scores ( p ‐value < 0.001). However, the majority of owners/managers (52%) lacked knowledge on food outlet specific infrastructural recommendations. Their staff were also not being trained on food safety and hygiene, since such training was currently not part of statutory requirements for running food outlets. Food handlers including street food vendors, despite adequate knowledge, exhibited limited compliance with food safety practices. These findings reflect the need for stronger focus on capacity building of production‐ and processing‐level stakeholders to enable better adherence to food safety norms and guidelines in India. A renewed focus on mandatory training of stakeholders through institutional mechanisms and targeted interventions will improve KABP related to food safety norms and standards and deliver incremental health benefits. Further, FSSAI's digital platforms can be better leveraged to share relevant information in easy‐to‐digest capsules to improve uptake including among stakeholders with lower literacy levels.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) agents have been targeting Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs over the past year, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by street vendors. This essay examines the pivotal role that Latina/o/x street food vendors have played in shaping placemaking throughout California since the late nineteenth century. It also emphasizes the long history of persecution these vendors have endured and questions what Californians will do when our street food vendors—who are our neighbors, friends, and family—begin to vanish from the streets.

Feeding the enclave: special economic zones, street food vendors and the dynamics of urban economy in Tema, Ghana

Assessment of Food Hygiene and Safety Knowledge and Practices among Street Food Vendors in Mowe Town of Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Street food constitutes a crucial component of the urban food system in India, particularly in tier-2 cities where affordability, accessibility, and convenience significantly influence daily food choices. In cities such as Amravati, street food serves not only as a source of livelihood for informal vendors but also as an essential means of food consumption for students, working professionals, and low- to middle-income groups. Over time, however, rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, increasing health awareness, and post-pandemic concerns regarding food safety and hygiene have reshaped consumer perceptions and expectations related to street food. The primary purpose of this study is to analyse street food consumption trends in Amravati City using analytical tools and to examine whether demographic factors such as age, gender, income, and occupation have a significant influence on consumption behaviour. The study is based on primary data collected from 100 respondents through a structured questionnaire. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data were analysed using percentage Chi-square tests, and graphical representation. The findings reveal that street food consumption is particularly high among young consumers, especially students, and is primarily driven by taste, affordability, and convenience. Although respondents expressed satisfaction with taste and price, concerns regarding hygiene and cleanliness remain prominent. Statistical testing indicates no significant relationship between demographic factors and street food consumption trends. Keywords: Street Food, Consumer Behaviour, Business Analytics, Hygiene, Consumption Trends, Amravati City

Globally, diarrheal diseases account for 550 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually. In Kenya, Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections from contaminated food and water pose a serious health concern, especially in settings with poor sanitation and hygiene practices This study examined the genetic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) recovered from street foods and water from Mukuru informal settlements, Nairobi. Between September and December 2023, 384 (each 77) samples of street foods (Mandazi, githeri, French fries), wastewater, and drinking water were collected and E. coli isolation performed through microbiological culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen for six DEC and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance genes. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson’s chi-square test) were used to assess associations between sample types, E. colipositivity, pathotypes, and antibiotic resistance. E. coli was isolated in 16% (62/384) of the samples, with 77.4% (48/62) of the isolated E. coli being DEC. Majority (64.6%, 31/48) of DEC isolates were recovered from wastewater followed by drinking water (22.9%, 11/48), githeri (8.3%, 4/48), mandazi (4.2, 2/48), and none from french fries. The most common pathotypes were; ETEC 69% (33/48), STEC 52.1% (25/48), EIEC 50% (24/48)), EPEC 10% (5/48), and EAEC 6% (3/48) Of the 48 DEC isolates, 30 were hybrid isolates Overall, the E. coli isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline (77.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (71.0%), ampicillin (59.7%) and least resistant to kanamycin (16.1%); chloramphenicol (8.1%) and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (4.8%). A huge proportion (72.6%, 45/62) of the isolated E. coli were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Of the 45 MDR isolates, 60% (27) were from wastewater, 28.9% (13) from drinking water, 4.4% (2) from githeri, 4.4% (2) from mandazi and 2.2% (1) french fries 2.2%. ESBL genes bla-TEM and blaCTX-M were detected in 12.9% and 3.2% of the E. coli isolates. isolates. The high prevalence of MDR in the E.coli isolates recovered from environmental compartments and food is a huge public health risk to the population in these settings. The detection of E. coli indicates fecal contamination underscoring the need to improve water, and sanitation infrastructure in urban slums.

Globally, diarrheal diseases account for 550 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually. In Kenya, Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections from contaminated food and water pose a serious health concern, especially in settings with poor sanitation and hygiene practices This study examined the genetic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) recovered from street foods and water from Mukuru informal settlements, Nairobi. Between September and December 2023, 384 (each 77) samples of street foods (Mandazi, githeri, French fries), wastewater, and drinking water were collected and E. coli isolation performed through microbiological culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen for six DEC and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance genes. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson's chi-square test) were used to assess associations between sample types, E. colipositivity, pathotypes, and antibiotic resistance. E. coli was isolated in 16% (62/384) of the samples, with 77.4% (48/62) of the isolated E. coli being DEC. Majority (64.6%, 31/48) of DEC isolates were recovered from wastewater followed by drinking water (22.9%, 11/48), githeri (8.3%, 4/48), mandazi (4.2, 2/48), and none from french fries. The most common pathotypes were; ETEC 69% (33/48), STEC 52.1% (25/48), EIEC 50% (24/48)), EPEC 10% (5/48), and EAEC 6% (3/48) Of the 48 DEC isolates, 30 were hybrid isolates Overall, the E. coli isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline (77.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (71.0%), ampicillin (59.7%) and least resistant to kanamycin (16.1%); chloramphenicol (8.1%) and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (4.8%). A huge proportion (72.6%, 45/62) of the isolated E. coli were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Of the 45 MDR isolates, 60% (27) were from wastewater, 28.9% (13) from drinking water, 4.4% (2) from githeri, 4.4% (2) from mandazi and 2.2% (1) french fries 2.2%. ESBL genes bla-TEM and bla CTX-M were detected in 12.9% and 3.2% of the E. coli isolates. isolates. The high prevalence of MDR in the E.coli isolates recovered from environmental compartments and food is a huge public health risk to the population in these settings. The detection of E. coli indicates fecal contamination underscoring the need to improve water, and sanitation infrastructure in urban slums.

It is important to educate about safe, healthy, and quality food and snacks in the school environment, especially for the generation between the ages of 7-12 years who certainly have a tendency to consume junk food, both snacks in the school environment (canteen) and street food that is widespread in the city of Batam. Elementary school-aged children are a group that is very vulnerable to various health problems related to food and snack consumption. During the growth period, children tend to like snacks that are attractive in color, taste, and shape without paying attention to aspects of cleanliness, safety, and nutritional content. The purpose and message to be conveyed in this Community Service activity include that the role of education is not only to provide intellectual education, but can also pay attention to the health of school students, including the food they consume. Through this activity, teachers and students can share knowledge about food safety, food hygiene, and how to choose and process healthy snacks. This educational activity is expected to be able to shape healthier consumption behavior among elementary school students and encourage the school environment to pay more attention to food safety.

Street-vended food is an important part of urban nutrition and the informal economy but raises concerns due to poor hygiene and limited regulation. The aim of this paper is to assess the food safety practices among food vendors in selected motor parks in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures with a structured questionnaire. Data obtained reveals that the majority of vendors were female (73.3%) and within the economically active age range of 26–45 years (68.7%). Over half (54.7%) demonstrated good food safety knowledge, while 30.7% had fair knowledge and 14.7% poor knowledge. Education level was significantly associated with knowledge (p = 0.006). Despite this, hygiene practices were inconsistent, with highest compliance in utensil cleaning (68%) and lowest in separation of raw and cooked foods (45.3%). Microbiological analysis revealed alarming contamination in cooked rice, with total bacterial counts reaching 5.8×10⁷ cfu/g at Adekunle Village Park 1. Pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were frequently isolated, the latter present in nearly all samples. Surface swabs also indicated poor sanitation, with loads up to 3.9×10⁵ cfu/cm². Antibiotic testing showed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone, though Pseudomonas spp. displayed resistance. It is recommended that vendors be supported with clean water, better facilities, practical training, and stricter regulation to ensure safer street food in Lagos.

The informal street food sector serves as a vital component of urban economies in South Africa, providing affordable nutrition and employment. However, this industry struggles to comply with required health and safety practices and standards. This study protocol outlines a mixed-methods investigation into hygiene practices, regulatory compliance, and the intersection with business sustainability among informal food vendors in Johannesburg’s inner city. This study aims to investigate how vendors’ perceptions of health risks and benefits influence compliance behaviours and, in turn, how these behaviours impact operational efficiency, financial stability, and customer trust. Grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework, the research seeks to explore both behavioural drivers and performance outcomes associated with hygiene adherence. The study will employ structured stall observations, semi-structured vendor interviews, and customer surveys across high-density vending zones. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data will be thematically analysed and triangulated with observed practices. The expected outcome is to identify key barriers and enablers of hygiene compliance and demonstrate how improved food safety practices contribute to business resilience, customer trust, and urban public health. The findings aim to inform inclusive policy and innovative business support strategies that integrate informal vendors into safer and more sustainable food systems.

ABSTRACT: Traditional food retail outlets in India(Amravati) function largely without digital systems and structured data, relying mainly on experience and intuition for decision-making. This study examines the application of basic data analytics in a fully offline traditional food outlet, Nanakramji Refreshment Centre, located in Amravati, Maharashtra. The objective of the research is to understand consumer preferences, satisfaction drivers, and purchase behavior in a heritage-based food retail context. An exploratory–descriptive research design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 50 respondents using a structured questionnaire, supported by relevant secondary sources. Descriptive statistics along with inferential techniques such as Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and the Chi-square test were used for data analysis. The findings reveal that product attributes such as taste consistency, freshness, and hygiene significantly influence consumer purchase decisions and revisit intention (p < 0.05). Price was found to be a secondary consideration. The study demonstrates that simple data analytics can generate meaningful insights even in non-digital traditional businesses. Keywords: Data analytics, Traditional food retail, Consumer behavior, Street food, Customer satisfaction

Snacks, commonly referred to as street foods or light foods, are an integral part of daily dietary habits and are inseparable from community life. One widely consumed and affordable example is cimol, a popular Indonesian fried tapioca ball snack. This study aimed to detect the presence of borax in cimol sold within educational areas across Panyileukan District, Bandung. The research employed descriptive analysis and qualitative testing methods, including flame test, turmeric paper test, and AgNO? precipitation test. These procedures are simple and commonly used for the qualitative detection of borax in food products. Based on examinations of 10 cimol samples collected from various school areas, only one sample tested positive for borax. These findings indicate that most cimol products available in educational zones within Panyileukan District are relatively safe for consumption; however, the detection of borax in one sample suggests that food safety monitoring must continue to be reinforced.