Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,337 members, 7,780,882 topics. Date: Friday, 29 March 2024 at 02:22 AM

Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food - Health - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Health / Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food (10604 Views)

Man Slumps And Dies By Roadside In Port Harcourt (Photos) / Lady Looking Drugged Found Lying By The Roadside In Lekki / Be Very Careful When Buying Facemask From Roadside Hawkers (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (Reply) (Go Down)

Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by HungerBAD: 6:25am On Jan 07, 2018
By Geraldine Akutu and Ijeoma Thomas Odia

In the past, roadside food vendors were mandated by relevant agencies to either cover their stuff with transparent polythene, or display such in show glasses. In addition, food items must be sold in a hygienic environment, with the vendor also clean and well presented. All this was to prevent contamination and spread of germs and diseases.

Nowadays, however, the very opposite is what obtains, as food vendors do their business anywhere and anyhow. They no longer bother to cover food items, just as they sell right beside dirty gutters and refuse dumps. It is not uncommon to see flies perching on displayed roadside food items, just as passing vehicles ‘garnish’ them with dust and smoke from exhaust fumes. Nobody seems to be doing anything to check the situation.

Ope Osibogun, a medical epidemiologist, said due to the unprecedented urban growth, Nigeria has seen a rise in street vendors, which has led to the demand for ready-made and “fast” food items by some citizens, who are having to cope with tight schedules.

In the past, roadside food vendors were mandated by relevant agencies to either cover their stuff with transparent polythene, or display such in show glasses. In addition, food items must be sold in a hygienic environment, with the vendor also clean and well presented. All this was to prevent contamination and spread of germs and diseases.

Nowadays, however, the very opposite is what obtains, as food vendors do their business anywhere and anyhow. They no longer bother to cover food items, just as they sell right beside dirty gutters and refuse dumps. It is not uncommon to see flies perching on displayed roadside food items, just as passing vehicles ‘garnish’ them with dust and smoke from exhaust fumes. Nobody seems to be doing anything to check the situation.

Ope Osibogun, a medical epidemiologist, said due to the unprecedented urban growth, Nigeria has seen a rise in street vendors, which has led to the demand for ready-made and “fast” food items by some citizens, who are having to cope with tight schedules.

“Another disease that can be contacted is typhoid fever, which is prevalent in our environment. Studies have shown that most cases of typhoid can be prevented, if hygiene is given premium attention. This brings us to the issue of how hygienic are these foods prepared, and as they sell on the streets, what measures are the vendors taking to protect these foods?

“Roadside foods are exposed to flies, dust, as most people eat by the roadside after purchasing these foods.

“We also look at the source of water used in preparing these foods. Because there is lack of water, people look for water from various means and this leads to illness. However, some people develop allergies after taking some foods, which can come in the form of such reactions as skin rashes, patches all over the body, and cases of asthma, all of which have been linked to exposure to unhygienic foods.

“We also have rising cases of cancer. Such foods as roasted are corn, yam and barbecue (suya), most of which are prepared by the use of charcoal, are said to be carcinogenic. These are some of the foods that increase free radicals and help cancer to thrive, and when one allows such to continue piling up in the system, they causes cancer in the long run.

“When we look at food-borne diseases, there are viruses, organisms and bacteria that can be on these foods, depending on the way they are presented and prepared. Rotavirus is associated with some of the cases of such air borne diseases as common cold, cough, and catarrh, lower and upper respiratory organs. There is also the risk of having abdominal pains and cramps. The issue of food poisoning is also very common. So, it is important to consider the health risk before patronising these roadside vendors.”

Nwachukwu said it is important that government embarks on sensitisation programmes, to enlighten citizen, on the risk of roadside foods, as well as ensure that adequate measures are taken to improve the environment where roadside foods are prepared. The vendors should be mandated to use clean water and sell in healthy environment. With this, illnesses and needless deaths will be reduced.

A reliable source at the Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area said the environmental unit of the council has food and beverage section charged with the responsibility of ensuring hygienic conditions within the locality. The source revealed that more enforcement needs to be done, as such acts are still rampant due to lack of alternatives for this segment in the society.

“I believe that to rid the society of such, alternatives should be provided as well as enforcement which the local government will be working on.”

Another source from the government-owned hospitals in the state said, “it is very obvious that uncovered foods pose a threat to the health and well being of people especially children and that is why at every time, we engage our patients and lecture them on the ills of consuming these foods.”

http://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/dangers-of-uncovered-roadside-food/

Lalasticlacla Mynd44

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by purem(m): 6:29am On Jan 07, 2018
cc: iyabasira, iyashukura, mamaput, iyaelewa, iyaolonje,

Sorry I thought dey are on NL embarassed

They really need to see this shocked

8 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by pussyeater(m): 6:46am On Jan 07, 2018
Mama Chinedu, Mama Ngozi, Mama Obiora. Hope say una dey hear grin

10 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by veekid(m): 7:04am On Jan 07, 2018
Who cares about the Epistle above? Mama put is the only way out

11 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by hemucology(m): 7:05am On Jan 07, 2018
Ok
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by xilixr: 7:06am On Jan 07, 2018
Ok

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Damoxy(m): 7:07am On Jan 07, 2018
So Fayose has been endangering his Life all this while. Ehya
No wonder he talks rubbish most times.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by prodiG(m): 7:07am On Jan 07, 2018
Some even sell food near refuse dumps,Smelly gutters embarassed Na God go save person for this country sad

2 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by glimpse(f): 7:07am On Jan 07, 2018
Roasted plantain n fish sellers need to see this oooo

6 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Nobody: 7:07am On Jan 07, 2018
following
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Lascode(m): 7:07am On Jan 07, 2018
They should do something about it as d health of Nigerians are at risk

2 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by crownfierce: 7:08am On Jan 07, 2018
.
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Originality007: 7:08am On Jan 07, 2018
k

2 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by sharpshap(m): 7:10am On Jan 07, 2018
Something must kill a man, it's better say I chop open road side food than for Fulani herdsmen to invade my village. # abeg pass on the lighter make I............. grin

9 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by GREATESTPIANIST: 7:10am On Jan 07, 2018
My Declarations

(Pls Personalize it)

.......This year go betta for us all, i refuse to be depressed, lazy towards my dreams, allow negative thoughts into my life!!! I will work smart, diligently and optimistic in my pursuit of my goals......This year will be good for me and other nairalanders.....i wnt cry this year, it will be rejoicing!!! Those that want ny downfall will collapse into their graves.....yes!! i made some mistakes in the past, but its past, and its gone, i am highly optimistic that my present and future will be better and filled with surprises!!! i will not give up on my dreams.....things will work well for me......i refuse to move with the wrong company!!! its time to take that daring step!!!! i will make it in life, Village or no village people, wahala ti won ni yen, mo ma ye ge!!!!!
#IWILLMAKEIT

8 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Nltaliban(m): 7:11am On Jan 07, 2018
No Matter how dangerous it is


Roadside food is a learner compared to buhari and his cohorts
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by segebase(m): 7:11am On Jan 07, 2018
trt
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by MrRichy(m): 7:11am On Jan 07, 2018
even me that studied Microbiology, still dey chop for Nwanyiosumenyi restaurant

14 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Firstorderwizard(m): 7:13am On Jan 07, 2018
How does dat stop me from eating mama Ekets rice and beans garnished with kpomo

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by GREATESTPIANIST: 7:13am On Jan 07, 2018
Hygiene is important, i wonder if massive orientation on this regard could be carried out though......... It will require a lot,.....
. some folks,self no mind to chop algae or lavae as long as say na,chop chop...... mind what you eat out!!!!! Bless you
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Nobody: 7:13am On Jan 07, 2018
This is Nigeria where every good things are done in the wrong way...
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by 12345baba(m): 7:13am On Jan 07, 2018
OK. But make them no add my suya abeg. Garlic dey to kill any free radicals

1 Like

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by GREATESTPIANIST: 7:14am On Jan 07, 2018
MrRichy:
even me that studied Microbiology, still dey chop for Nwanyiosumenyi restaurant
na when u catch infection in d long run, your eye go open....keep flexing
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by GREATESTPIANIST: 7:14am On Jan 07, 2018
12345baba:
OK. But make them no add my suya abeg. Garlic dey to kill any free radicals
grin
12345baba:
OK. But make them no add my suya abeg. Garlic dey to kill any free radicals
lol
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Nobody: 7:15am On Jan 07, 2018
okay. smiley
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by sisisioge: 7:18am On Jan 07, 2018
In fact, I've been cured of eating suya and Booli lately because of the dust around now. Sellers of ready made foods seemed oblivion of the dirt traveling with the windy weather lately. Safer to be hungry than be sorry.

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by HungerBAD: 7:19am On Jan 07, 2018
sisisioge:
In fact, I've been cured of eating suya and Booli lately because of the dust around now. Sellers of ready made foods seemed oblivion of the dirt traveling with the windy weather lately. Safer to be hungry than be sorry.

Writes impeccably too.

NICE.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by MurphyTheory99(m): 7:19am On Jan 07, 2018
Op thank you so.much for this. I have always preached this issues or health hazard everywhere I go. You all know that a place like Lagos, when you dig out the gutters out during environmental sanitation, the sand mixed with the following: urine, poo, vomit, refuse, mosquitoes lava, cockroaches, dead rat fossil etc. The following would stay on when it dried and roasted yam or plantain sellers, or buns/pofpof/akara sellers with their exposed food, okada or a speeding car passes by and blows the dust on the food and my people buy and eat not it poison they just bought. God will help us.

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by vioment: 7:25am On Jan 07, 2018
A lot of dangers in this field that goes unregulated. It begins with the unregulated food source, the food quality, and the least is preparation. The environment of the food preparation and the places where they are stored to be prepared are saddening when you think about it. The meat source, storage, etc; The utensils and the source of water for cleaning and cooking; The food handling are also bad - i am talking about dirty (scratchy or nose picking) individuals or sick persons serving food.

Well, some people claim Africans are exempt from the dangers related to these oversights but forget that you are what you eat.
Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by sisisioge: 7:28am On Jan 07, 2018
HungerBAD:


Writes impeccably too.

NICE.

Thank you grin.

2 Likes

Re: Dangers Of Uncovered Roadside Food by Hungrychicken(m): 7:29am On Jan 07, 2018
We have a proverb in my place that says, ''GERMS NO DEY KILL AFRICAN MAN ''

(1) (2) (Reply)

20 Best Glowing Creams For Dark Skin Under ₦5000 (photos) / 5 Good Ways To Manage Cancer / Gnld Supplements For Staph

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 30
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.