Microbiological Quality of Street-Vended Foods in Osogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria

Street food vending is an important component of urban food security in Nigeria, but the microbiological safety of street-vended foods remains a persistent public health concern. This study evaluated the microbiological quality of five commonly vended food types, namely rice, beans, fried plantain, grilled meat (suya), and soy milk, in three market zones in Osogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria. A total of 150 food samples were collected from sixty street food vendors and analyzed for total heterotrophic bacteria count, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, and mold counts using standard microbiological methods. Concurrent structured questionnaires were administered to vendors to assess food safety knowledge and practices. Results showed that eighty-two percent of food samples exceeded microbiological limits specified by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for ready-to-eat foods. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from sixty-one percent of grilled meat samples. Salmonella was detected in thirty-four percent of rice samples. Vendor practices contributing to contamination included preparation on contaminated surfaces, inadequate food covering, improper temperature maintenance, and absence of handwashing before food handling. Only twenty-seven percent of vendors held formal food safety training certificates. The study recommends mandatory food safety training for street food vendors, improved infrastructure in vending zones, and regular market food sampling by Osun State food safety authorities. Keywords: street food, microbiological quality, food safety, Osogbo, Staphylococcus.