1.1.          Background Information

Street foods are described as ready-to-eat foods and beverages prepared and sold by vendors or hawkers especially in streets and other similar public places (FAO, 1989). According to the FAO, street foods contribute significantly to the diets of many people in the developing world (FAO, 2007). In addition to offering business opportunities for developing entrepreneurs, the sale  of  street  foods  can  make  a  sizeable  contribution  to  the  economies  of  developing countries.  Moreover, street foods play an important role in developing societies as they support the livelihoods of millions of the urban poor. Traditional and exotic local street foods have emerged as new tourist attractions in developing countries.

However, street foods have in recent years become one of the most common risks associated with the increase in outbreaks of food-borne diseases in developing countries. There have been several documented cases of food poisoning outbreaks due to street foods. Street foods were responsible for 691 food poisoning outbreaks and 49 deaths from 1983 to 1992 in Shangdong Province (China) (Lianghui, 1993). In 1988, 14 deaths were reported in Malaysia because of food-borne diseases related to street foods. In the same year 300 people became ill in Hong Kong after consumption of street vended foods. In 1981 a cholera epidemic in Pune, India was linked to consumption of street vended juice, whilst an outbreak of cholera in Singapore in 1987 was attributed to the consumption of street foods (FAO, 1990).

Edo state is a developing country largely famous for its delicious and diverse street foods. The wide variety of dishes on offer in Benin, Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma and Uromi do not only fulfill the eating habits of urban residents, especially in low and medium income areas in Benin, Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma and Uromi cities, but also attract the curiosity of tourists. Although the Nigeria Ministry of Health has issued some specific regulations of street foods in its Law of Food Safety, the number of food poisoning outbreaks related to street foods has significantly increased in recent years. These outbreaks have been associated with various responsible agents which range from pathogens to chemical contaminants. According to Rane (2011), the poor knowledge and improper food handling of street vendors in basic food safety measures and poor knowledge and awareness among consumers about the potential hazards associated with certain foods could explain the health and safety issues that street foods may pose (Rane, 2011). Moreover, it is important to state that the costs of food-borne illness include the cost of medical treatment, productivity loss, pain and suffering of affected individuals, industry losses, and losses within the public health sector (Harris, 1997).

1.2.   Objectives of the Study

This study has the major objective of analysing the safety of street foods vended in Benin, Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma and Uromi and factors contributing to the safety.  The results of this study can contribute to improving the policies and actions of the Edo State government regarding the safety of street foods. In particular, the study conducted surveys to investigate the food safety knowledge and attitudes of vendors and consumers of street foods in Benin, Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma and Uromi, one of the biggest industrial city of Edo states. The food handling and hygiene practices of the vendors were also evaluated in this study.

1.2.         Specific Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of the study were as followed:

1.      To evaluate the food safety knowledge and attitude of consumers and street food Vendors

2.     To observe the handling practices of street food vendors in order to assess if the methods of food preparation, storage and presentation meet the required food safety standards.

1.4.    Hypothesis of the study

One hypothesis will be tested through mentioned objectives:

•           The consumers and vendors of street food have poor hygiene practices and limited food safety knowledge