| dc.description.abstract | Between November, 1992 and March, 1993, a cross-sectional
survey on sanitary quality, protein and caloric values of
street foods, was carried out in industrial areas of Dar-es-
Salaam, Tanzania. The purpose of the study was to evaluate
vendor hygiene practices, as well as microbial and nutritive
quality of foods sold by street food vendors.
The industrial area was divided into eight sections, five were
randomly selected to make five study clusters and the
remaining three were used for the pretest. Four cf L.he
clusters relied on water from factories while the fifth one
had tap water. A total of 91 street food vendors were
interviewed, and 87 food samples were tested for microbial
load and were subjected to proximate analysis. Sixteen
different types of foods were being sold in various
combinations by vendors in the industrial areas.
Meal portions ranged from 644.0 to 871.0 grams, while their
caloric values ranged from 159 to 286 Cal/100g, and protein
value ranged from 8.86 to 12.6g/100g. Values are recorded on
dry weight basis using an average of three determinations.
Street food vendors were mainly women of between 30-39 years
of age. The majority of vendors had seven years of formal
education.
Microbial contamination was present in levels above those
normally acceptable for foods to be safe for human
consumption. Aerobic plate counts (APe) exceeded 105 cfulg
in a number of food samples. Faecal coliform levels above 102
cfulg can cause food poisoning, and a large number of the
foods had counts exceeding this level. Escherichia coli,
which should not be present in food, was found in a number of
samples. Kachumbari, ugali, meat stew and pilau, cassava
leaves, bean stew and rice were found to be contaminated with
Escherichia coli.
Microbial contamination was found to be significantly higher
in the foods prepared by vendors without access to toilets and
tap water than those who had these facilities. Kachumbari was
the most highly contaminated food, followed by rice, for
coliform and Escherichia coli counts.
The study established that, vendors sell a variety of foods,
at relatively low prices, and that most of these constitute
staples that are common in most regions of Tanzania. Food
sanitary quality needs improvement but the nutritive value is
adequate to meet the Recommended Daily Intakes of protein and
50% of calories recommended for men who do moderate work (age
18-60) . | en |
