Hygiene practices among vendors selling fruits and vegetables on streets of Gqeberha, South Africa

This study investigates the food hygiene practices of informal vendors selling fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) in the informal market in Gqeberha. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist from all vendors (n=150). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the data using SPSS (version 29.0). Significance was assessed at p-value <0.05. The majority of vendors were females (n=145; 96.66%), and half (n=75; 50%) had not completed high school. Almost all vendors (n=141; 94%) had not received food safety training. Most vendors (65%) scored low on hygiene practices and were classified as high risk. Vendors who had not received training on food safety and handling practices had higher odds [AOR = 7.47; 95% CI: (1.49–37.39); p=0.014] of being classified as high risk. Vendors considered to be non-South Africans were significantly more likely [AOR = 0.189, 95% CI (0.054–0.661), p=0.009] to be classified as high risk than South African vendors. The observed low numbers of vendors adopting good hygiene practices is a public health concern. The identified risk factors should be considered by relevant authorities when designing interventions to improve the safety of fresh produce sold in the informal market.