A pilot study on assessing the sustainability of food safety and hygienic practices in street food handling system

Street food vending units are on a rise in the country as they offer less expensive and a variety of delicacies to the consumer. It also supports the economy of the country as street foods are gathering a lot of attention through food tourism as well. On the other hand, a large number of population is thriving on it as a means of livelihood. However, the safety and hygienic practices followed in these food vending system requires large reforms. In this regard, the present study was undertaken to understand theawareness of street food handlers on foodsafetyand to determinethe microbial contamination of the street foods. The current investigation revealed that even though, majority of the food vendors were aware of the safe food handling practices, it wasnotfollowedappropriately during foodpreparation which resultedin higherlevels of microbial contamination in theirproduce. The studyalso throwslighton themethods that could achieveasustainable food safetyin the street food vending systems in the country.