Assessment of Food Hygiene Practices Among Street Food Vendors in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State

Street food vending represents a significant source of affordable nutrition for urban populations in South East Nigeria, yet it poses considerable public health risks when hygiene standards are not maintained. This study assessed food hygiene practices among street food vendors operating within Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, with the aim of identifying prevalent risk factors for foodborne illness. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 120 vendors selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and direct observation checklists adapted from World Health Organization food safety guidelines. Variables assessed included personal hygiene, food handling behaviours, storage practices, water source quality, and waste disposal methods. Results revealed that 68 percent of vendors did not practice regular handwashing with soap, while 54 percent stored raw and cooked foods in close proximity. Only 22 percent had received any form of formal food safety training. Microbiological analysis of ten food samples collected from randomly chosen stalls confirmed contamination with coliform bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus at levels exceeding recommended limits. The study recommends mandatory food handler certification programmes, routine market inspections by the Anambra State Ministry of Health, and targeted food safety awareness campaigns. These interventions are critical to reducing foodborne disease burden in this high-traffic commercial zone. Keywords: food hygiene, street food, vendors, foodborne illness, Onitsha.