Abstract:

Although street food vending is deeply embedded in our daily communities' economic and cultural life worldwide, it continues to pose significant public health risks due to the prevalence of foodborne illnesses. Research shows that street food vendors often lack adequate food safety knowledge, underscoring the need for local assessments. This study investigates the demographic profile and food safety knowledge of street food vendors in the Demerara-Mahaica region of Guyana, where enforcement of food safety regulations is limited. Based on a representative sample of 104 vendors, females outnumbered males by a 3:2 ratio. Although Guyana is a multi-ethnic society, nearly half of the study's vendors were Africans.  Most vendors (88.4%) had at least a secondary-level education, primarily obtained locally (80.8%). However, nearly 60% of the vendors in the study had not received formal food safety training. While many vendors showed awareness of basic hygiene, gaps remain in their knowledge of specific foodborne pathogens and proper food handling practices. Notably, 31.7% of street food vendors expressed uncertainty about the risks of foodborne diseases. The study also found a statistically significant association between vendors’ food safety knowledge and the type of district (urban versus rural) in which they operate. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted training programs and regulatory reforms to enhance food safety compliance among street food vendors in Guyana. Future research should assess the impact of regulatory enforcement and the effectiveness of widespread, consistent food safety education initiatives.

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