Vanja Prevolšek (Author), Andrej Ovca (Author), Mojca Jevšnik (Author)

Abstract

Purpose – This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the compliance of hygienic and technical standards of street food vendors in Slovenia with the requirements of the general hygienic food principals set in the Codex Alimentarius and Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs. Design/methodology/approach – Food vendors were observed directly and discretely using a semi-structured observation sheet that allowed fast evaluation. The employee’s behaviour was not affected during the observations because they were not aware of being observed. Each observation lasted approximately 30 min. Food vendors were divided into groups according to their location, type of facility, number of employees and type of food sold. Findings – Depending on the type of street vendor, more inconsistencies were found amongst food stands compared to food trucks and kiosks. Most food trucks and kiosks scored very high in both personal and hygienic-technical standards. Some of the major inconsistencies were lack of suitably located washbasins, improper hand-washing technique, improper waste management, working surfaces that were inadequately separated from consumers, and inconsistent maintenance of the cold chain. Food handlers have been confirmed as a critical risk factor. Research limitations/implications – Despite methodology validation, the data was collected by a single observer, limiting the ability to obtain a more reliable estimate of the observations. The sample was disproportionate according to the type of street food facilities. Practical implications – The results provide a basis for (1) national professional guidelines of good hygiene practices for food business operators, which should cover street food vendors more extensively in future updates, and (2) the development of food safety training programmes tailored for street vendors. Originality/value – The study provides valuable insights into current hygienic-technical conditions of the street food vending sector.

Keywords

street food;mobile vendors;food safety;good hygienic practices;discrete observation;Slovenia;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL ZF - University College of Health Studies
UDC: 614.31:641
COBISS: 60003843 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0007-070X
Views: 332
Downloads: 128
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Other data

Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 105-123
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ123
Issue: ǂno. ǂ13
Chronology: 2021
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2020-1056
ID: 12787238