Food Hygiene and Safety Practices among Street Food Handlers in Juja Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Street food production in Kenya is an alarming situation that is as old as the Jua Kali sector. It emerged from open vending and hawking food at gatherings such as community functions, graduation ceremonies and national celebration days. The current extension of street food production from major cities to small towns requires public health intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the level of food safety and hygiene practices among street food handlers in Juja sub County, Kiambu County. An exploratory descriptive study was adopted. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from a convenience sample of 248 food handlers operating within the sub county. Descriptive results showed that food handlers were not observing personal and food premises hygiene, although food hygiene measures were mainly observed. The study recommended the County government to provide street food handlers with designated zones and permanent structures suitable for food preparation and selling alongside proper training in food safety and hygiene practices.