Improving food safety in the informal sector: nine years later

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Foodborne disease is a major public health problem in poor countries, but we lack effective, sustainable and scalable approaches that work in the traditional, informal markets where most fresh, risky food is sold. A promising intervention is working with informal sector vendors to provide: a) training and technologies; b) an enabling environment; c) motivation for behaviour change.

Materials and methods: We present a long-term follow-up of pilot project in one of the largest abattoirs and meat markets in Nigeria. An evaluation shortly after implementation found the intervention was acceptable, cost-effective and resulted in safer meat.  The follow-up nine years later using mixed methods: qualitative surveys and microbiological tests.

Results and Discussion: The policy environment had become disabling, partly as a result of authorities attempts to move butchers to a modern, hygienic but more distant abattoir. This was resisted by the butchers. Authorities revoked the license for Bodija market and stopped providing services. Matters escalated and forceful attempts to remove butchers resulted in deaths followed by riots. Meat safety deteriorated.

Conclusion: The case study shows the importance of an enabling environment and need for stakeholder collaboration in attempting to improve food safety in the traditional sector.

KEYWORDS:

• Foodborne disease
• intervention
• informal sector
• Nigeria

Acknowledgments

We thank the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health led by the International Food Policy Research Institute for funding this study and all the members of the Butchers’ Associations and officers at Bodija Market who contributed to it.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CRP Agriculture for Nutrition and Health [NA]

Notes on contributors

Delia Grace

Dr. Delia Grace is a Veterinary Epidemiologist with over 20 years experience in developing countries. She leads research on food safety at the International Livestock Research Institute and in the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health.

Morenike Dipeolu

Professor Morenike Diipelou is in the Veterinary Public Health Department and has conducted extensive research on animal source food value chains in Nigeria. She has many peer-reviewed publications and several awards.

Silvia Alonso

Dr. Silvia Alonso is a senior scientist and veterinary epidemiologist at the International Livestock Research Institute. Her research agenda includes public health, food safety and nutrition.