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…enforces compulsory registration/sale of food in show glasses
The Akwa Ibom State government has given street food vendors particularly suya, bolè, and Akara sellers a hard knock in the state.
The state government through the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals in a press release signed by the Commissioner heading the ministry, Mr Charles Udoh enforced all street food vendors to have their businesses registered with the ministry.
Part of the release dated, 6th May enforces all street food vendors like suya, Akara, bolè, and roasted chicken sellers to have their food displayed in a transparent box (show glass) or stand the risk of having their food ware seized and destroyed.
According to the release, the decision was to help reduced what the ministry described as “contamination of ‘suya’, roasted chicken, plantain” and other food-borne diseases.
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Part of the release reads, ”although the street food industry provides nutrition, generates income, creates employment, and contributes to the economy, the sector has remained unstructured. It is characterized by improper food handling and storage by vendors, poor environmental sanitation, and consumer apathy towards food safety precautions, even where such consumers are aware of the health risks.”
Also, the ministry reeled out four conditions which all street food vendors must adhere to. The conditions include, ‘Compulsory USE OF CLOSED GLASS BOXES FOR DISPLAY OF ‘SUYA’, ROASTED CHICKEN AND PLANTAIN.
”All vendors of street food must have a waste basket for the disposal of generated waste to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal.
”Street food vending is prohibited within 100 meters radius of a refuse dump site or Waste receptacle.
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”ALL STREET FOOD VENDORS MUST REGISTER with the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals. REGISTRATION; which is FREE -OF-CHARGE ; is to ensure proper coordination of environmental health in that sector. Requirements for registration are two passport sized Photograph and a functional telephone number(s).”
The order which takes effect from July 5, 2021 has charged vendors to edible items are prepared in a sanitized environment and protected from pests and other environmental contaminants.
Also, residents who patronized the food vendors are advised to prioritize health precautionary measures, sanitary condition of vending sites and utensils used in serving them food to avoid the menace of food poisoning.
