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Unhygienic Street Foods

10 parasites threaten school-goer clientele

DU study finds 97pc vendors reusing contaminated water

Published : Tuesday, 12 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 438
Tausiful Islam
A recent study found the presence of ten parasites in street foods in Dhaka Metropolitan City, posing risks to public health specially to the school going students.

Conducted between September 2021 and June 2022, the research analysed food samples from 200 street food vendors near 50 schools and their corresponding faecal samples.

Street food is popular in Dhaka, offering affordable and flavourful options for many families, specially schoolchildren. However, the study underscores a troubling link between the unhygienic practices of vendors and the prevalence of parasitic infections among young consumers.

Microscopic examination of the samples at Parasitology Laboratory of Dhaka University (DU) Zoology Department identified seven out of ten parasite species in both food and stool samples. The most prevalent parasites included Blastocystis hominis (21.5pc), Cystoisospora belli (20.5pc), and Ascaris lumbricoides (17pc). These parasites are known to cause severe gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain, posing significant health risks to children.

Some common street foods mentioned in the study are Fuchka, Chotpoti, Achar, Jhalmuri, Televaja (Beguni/Piazu/Alur Chop) and Sherbat, among others.

The study also assessed vendors' hygiene practices. Alarmingly, 95.5pc of the vendors reported irregular hand washing during food preparation. Only 0.5pc stated they washed their hands regularly, while 4pc admitted to never washing their hands before handling food. Furthermore, 97pc used previously contaminated water for cleaning utensils, and none utilised soap during the washing process. 

72pc of vendors left food uncovered, inviting contamination from dust, insects and other sources. None reported using hand gloves during food preparation.

Statistical analysis confirmed significant associations between the prevalence of parasites in stool samples and various risk factors. Factors such as age, smoking status and the use of unhygienic materials for food preparation were linked to higher parasite counts. For instance, 85pc of vendors lacked any formal education while 86pc of them were smokers.

These findings underscore the severe health implications for children, whose developing immune systems make them more susceptible to food-borne illnesses. In Bangladesh, about 30 million people suffer from food-borne diseases annually, with children being particularly vulnerable.

Despite the establishment of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) in 2015, effective food safety measures remain limited. The lack of awareness among vendors about food safety laws and weak enforcement of regulations contribute to the ongoing crisis.

The study titled "Risk factors associated with street food consumption in Dhaka city due to faeco-oral parasitic infection in food vendors" was published by Elsevier in 2024.

Prof Dr Sharmin Musa of DU Zoology Department supervised the project, with support from Associate Prof Dr Priyanka Barua of the Department, Assistant Prof Ahsan Rahman Jamee of DU Statistics Department, Zoology student Sharmila Shaha and Research Assistant Krishna Sukonna Banik.

The Dhaka University authorities funded the project.

Talking to the Daily Observer, Supervisor of the study Prof Dr Sharmin Musa stressed the need for immediate interventions to enhance food safety and protect young consumers from gastrointestinal diseases that can have long-lasting impacts on their health and education.

Prof Musa emphasised training programmes focused on safe food handling and hygiene practices for street food vendors. 

She said improved infrastructure, including clean vending sites and proper sanitation facilities, is also crucial.


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