Streetwise Eats: Assessing Food Safety and Hygiene Measures Among Street Food Vendors

Objectives Street food vendors play a crucial role in increasing food accessibility and urban nutrition; however, their operations raise public health concerns regarding food safety, hygiene, and the risk of foodborne illnesses. Objectives: This study aimed to determine food safety and hygiene practices among street food vendors and the factors associated with practices, knowledge and attitudes toward food safety and hygiene. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using two stage sampling method in selected zones of Mangaluru city, Karnataka, India with a sample size of 396 vendors. Data were analysed and reported in frequencies and percentages. A chi-square test was used to determine associations between the variables. Results About one-third (35.3%) of food vendors demonstrated good food safety and hygiene practices. Approximately 22.2% of vendors had good knowledge, while 55.1% exhibited a positive attitude toward food safety and hygiene practices. Factors such as age, education, business location, and type of sale were significantly associated with food safety and hygiene practices (p<0.05). Conclusion These findings highlight the need for targeted educational and intervention programs to improve food safety practices and foster positive attitudes among food vendors, ultimately contributing to safer food handling and reduced health risks for consumers.