Food Handling and Personal Hygiene Practices among Momo Vendors in Jaipur City, Rajasthan

Abstract

Street food is ready to eat food, easily available, and offers a lot of varied choices, supporting different sections of society differently. Along with numerous benefits, street food poses a great threat to public health in which street food vendors are major culprits. Vendors are often less educated and do not follow proper hygiene and safety practices. The present study was conducted to assess the hygiene and food handling practices of 100 momo vendors from five street food vending hubs of Jaipur city and to create awareness regarding safe food handling practices. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data from them. Almost all the vendors served food with bare hands and without wearing apron. Majority (65%) of vendors did not keep raw and cooked food separate and non-food items were stored along with food supplies. In 37% of vending sites, flies were seen harboring in the vicinity of the vending units. Presence of pests such as cockroaches, ants, and rats was observed around 18% vending outlets. Vendors often follow a low level of personal hygiene practices. There is a need to regulate these vendors with mandatory training and certification. Collective efforts of both vendors and official authorities are required to bring the changes.