26. Dr Henry Gadaga, Zimbabwe, presented a document on the “ Informal food distribution sector (street foods and foods sold in schools): importance and challenges (CAF 05/4)”. The speaker provided a definition of street foods and highlighted the social, economic and nutritional importance of street foods in Africa. A review of the street food-vending situation in the region was presented, which revealed that there are many similarities in the status of street food vendors in the countries of Africa. He noted that the reasons for the increase in street food vending in Africa are mainly related to poor national economic performance and poverty. The presentation also highlighted the role of street food vending in improving the economic status of vulnerable groups, especially women. The speaker also outlined various aspects of national food control systems in Africa, their relation to street foods and the associated challenges. Several recommendations on strategies to improve food safety in the street food sector were presented and are included in the relevant section of the strategic plan.
27. The delegates thanked Zimbabwe for preparing the paper and agreed on the need to have a coordinated approach to addressing the food safety issues related to street foods.
28. The conference noted that street food vending is an important activity in the region, although it is illegal in many countries and by nature, is largely unregulated. The conference considered the possible value of regulating the sector and recording the names of the vendors to attempt to control the safety of the food produced.
29. The conference emphasized that ensuring the safety of street foods is essential. The challenges to improving the safety of street foods, such as low literacy rates of vendors, were also underlined. The conference recognized the need to include street food vendors as partners in the process of planning improvements in the safety of street foods. A multi-stakeholder approach was proposed as a more effective way of achieving the intended objectives of improving the safety of street foods. It was noted that other UN agencies, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), should also play a role in the control of street food, particularly to deal with the issue of children involved in street food vending. The conference recognized that NGOs, including consumer groups, also have a role to play in promoting the safety of street vended foods.
30. The conference noted the socio-cultural dimension of street foods and highlighted the importance of involving social scientists in advocating the improvement of the safety of street foods. The conference agreed that the source of raw materials as well as the practices of vendors would impact on the quality and safety of street foods.
31. Several delegations discussed the programmes to improve street food safety underway and planned in their countries and expressed their willingness to share that information as appropriate.
32. The conference appreciated the projects that FAO and WHO have implemented in street food safety and noted that FAO will be publishing a training manual on street food safety in the forthcoming months. The conference requested FAO and WHO to continue supporting initiatives to improve the safety of street foods in Africa through awareness raising and training of street food vendors, information sharing and exchange and pilot projects that showcase the impact of improved safety.
