Is Washing Enough? Evidence from a Study on Nigerian Vegetable Traders’ Hygiene and Handling Practices - 24
DOWNLOADDecember 11, 2024 - Itohan Ebunoluwa Martins, Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Adewale Olusegun Obadina
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EmailThis June 2024 study investigates the hygiene and handling practices of vegetable traders in traditional Nigerian markets, focusing on their impact on food safety. Using data from 509 vegetable samples collected across nine markets in Ogun State, the study links traders’ practices to the presence of microbial contaminants, such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Bacillus spp..
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Key Findings:
- Washing vegetables was common (95%), but only half changed washing water frequently, reducing contamination risks.
- Higher contamination rates were found during the dry season due to limited water availability.
- Trader practices, such as separating vegetables, were inconsistently applied and varied by trader gender, education, and market location.
- E. coli contamination was more prevalent in carrots (24%) than in tomatoes (15%) or cucumbers (8%).
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Policy Implications:
- Training: Increase awareness of proper hygiene practices through targeted training for traders, especially males and older participants.
- Infrastructure: Improve market facilities, such as toilets and water access, while reducing associated costs to encourage better hygiene.
- Governance: Engage market leaders to enforce hygiene standards and promote the use of tools like plastic crates to reduce soil-borne contamination.
The study underscores the need for multifaceted interventions combining education, infrastructure improvement, and policy action to enhance food safety in traditional markets.
