Contamination of Street Vended Foods with Intestinal Parasites in Benin City, Edo State

Street-vended foods are widely consumed across Nigerian urban centres and represent a potential vehicle for the transmission of intestinal parasites when prepared under unhygienic conditions. This study assessed parasitic contamination of commonly vended food items in Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria. A total of 180 food samples including salads, sliced fruits, cooked rice, and groundnut soup were collected from 60 street food vendors and examined using the formal-ether concentration technique following surface washing and centrifugation. Questionnaires assessed vendor hygiene practices and food preparation methods. Parasitic contamination was detected in 34.4 percent of food samples. Ascaris lumbricoides ova, Entamoeba histolytica cysts, and Giardia lamblia cysts were the most frequently identified organisms. Salads and sliced fruits had the highest contamination rates, attributed to lack of heat processing and direct hand contact. Vendors who did not use gloves and those sourcing produce from open markets with poor sanitation had significantly higher contamination rates. The study recommends mandatory food handler training, regular environmental health inspections, and public health campaigns targeting street food safety in Edo State. Keywords: street food, parasitic contamination, food safety, Benin City, Edo State.