Evaluation of the bacteriological quality of fourth range products in the commune of Douala 3, Cameroon: Sanitary risks and public health implications

Rapid urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa has led to the expansion of the informal sector, particularly in the sale of fourth-range food products, as in Douala. This situation, without adequate regulation, exposes consumers to health risks, notably water-borne diseases due to precarious hygiene conditions. This study assesses the bacteriological quality of fourth-range products in the Douala 3 commune in order to identify sanitary risks and analyze the implications in public health. A total of 112 samples, including apples, oranges, African eggplants, sweet peas, carrots, papayas and pineapples, were collected from vendors and transported in refrigerated containers to the laboratory. Bacteriological analysis was carried out by plating the samples on selective media. Results showed that, except for apples and some papayas, most samples were contaminated, exceeding EU thresholds (0 cfu/g). Oranges were highly contaminated with fecal coliforms (4.75x103 cfu/g), but lesser with Vibrio spp. (1.4 cfu/g) and Salmonella spp. (5.33 cfu/g). Contamination with Vibrio spp was higher in carrot (603.80 cfu/g). Papayas and pineapples showed high concentrations of fecal streptococci (5.37x104 cfu/g and 4.74 x104 cfu/g, respectively). Sweet peas were the most contaminated, with high levels of Escherichia coli (2.93x106 cfu/g), Salmonella spp. (3120 cfu/g), Shigella spp. (6.63x107 cfu/g) and fecal coliforms (5.38 x107 cfu/g). These results underline the urgent need to improve hygiene conditions and strengthen regulation of the informal food sector. Control and awareness-raising measures are essential to protect public health.