The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, has raised concerns over the indiscriminate reliance by many Nigerians, especially urban dwellers, on street food vendors for their daily meals, stating that the practice poses significant health risks.

It also warned the public against the potential outbreak of cholera as the rainy season approaches.

The institute raised these concerns at a recent media forum addressed by Professor Stella Smith, the Director of Research and Head of the Department of Molecular and Biotechnology at the institute.

According to her, reliance on street food vendors is prevalent, particularly among low- and middle-income earners. She cited Lagos as an example, where many people, especially working-class individuals, rely on street food vendors without considering the health risks associated with the consumption of such foods.

She explained that some Lagos residents live in remote communities such as Ikorodu and Epe or as far as Ibafo, Mowe, or Sango Ota in Ogun State. Due to the heavy vehicular traffic, they leave their homes very early in the morning for work and return late in the evening.

“As a result,” she pointed out, “many have no choice but to patronise street food vendors who sell ready-to-eat food at cheaper prices.”

Smith, a professor of microbiology, noted that she and her team of researchers at NIMR had previously conducted a study on this practice. The study revealed that approximately 50 per cent of urban dwellers engage in the habit of purchasing foods such as fried akara, fish, meat, yam, rice, moimoin, okpa, ‘Abacha,’ smoked panla, and others, from roadside vendors or bus stops.

“We investigated some of these foods and discovered that they contained Salmonella typhi, a foodborne pathogen that causes gastroenteritis—commonly known as stomach flu.

“If stomach flu, which is an intestinal infection, is not treated properly and promptly, it can lead to severe illness and even death,” she warned.

Tracing contamination to the unhygienic preparation and sale of these foods, Smith highlighted that studies estimate up to 200,000 Nigerians die from food poisoning annually.

She urged the Lagos State Government to intensify collaboration with stakeholders in the surveillance and monitoring of food vendors, particularly those without fixed addresses, to prevent avoidable illnesses and deaths caused by their activities.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIMR and renowned pathologist, Professor Oladapo Obafunwa, emphasised the purpose of the institute’s monthly media chat. He stated that it serves to showcase the activities of the institute, as well as educate and encourage the public to adopt healthy lifestyles. (Nigerian Tribune)