Page 62 - May 2018 - December 2018 Issue

Street Food:

To Eat or

Not to Eat?

By RJ Camano, Quality, Environment,
Safety, and Health

As we walk around the streets, we can always observe a variety of food that causes our mouth to salivate. Those brightly colored food
keeps us interested to try it, upon looking at them being cooked in every corner. However, many people are not aware of the risks
associated with consuming these kinds of food served in the streets.
Street Food are either commercially or manually prepared by the street vendors. Most of these food comes with different kind of sauces
or dip that makes the taste even better. You can choose different variety of foods such as (e.g.) fish balls, squid balls, “kikiam”, flour
coated quail eggs or “kwek-kwek”, barbeque, “lumpia”, “isaw” (either fried or grilled), flour coated squid (“calamares”) and other “exotic
animals”. However, as this food maybe cheap, delicious and an instant relief to our hunger or thirst – many of the consumers are not fully
aware about the dangers that can be caused by eating street food on a regular basis. Below are some of the health risks of eating street
food, that can cause diseases:
Acquiring contagious disease – You will often acquire a several diseases that
affects your health on either temporary or permanent basis. When the disease are
caused by a species of bacteria, it can be treated through an antibiotic (as
prescribed). However, if you were exposed into a “viral-borne” disease, potential
effect might be permanent that can be triggered anytime upon exposure.
Exposure to Worms – Considering that the streets are one of the dirtiest part of
the city, it is filled with fecal matters coming from both humans and animals that
can be carried out by the dust or air and potentially contaminating the street food.
Develop Allergies – Eating street food can cause allergic reaction to your body
upon exposure to those food that is associated with allergens. As a result, your
body can experience discomforts, wherein, your skin will start to react severely
causing inflammation on some parts of your body.
Risk of Developing Cancer and Hepatitis A – Street food are always prepared in
charcoal (during grilling). Study shows that these substance are considered as a
carcinogens that increases the amount of free radicals in your body to cause
cancerous substances. Meanwhile, Hepatitis A is said to be the inflammation of the
liver because of eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. And if
this could not be treated right away, it could lead to kidney failures.We can consider
the following symptoms to know if we have hepatitis A: dark urine, abdominal pain,
loss of appetite, vomiting, and yellowish eyes.
Suffer from food-borne disease – Contaminated street food can cause food borne
diseases such as bacterial infection to your digestive system. Upon consuming
these foods associated with harmful pathogens, you can experience diarrhea,
vomiting and loose watery stool that increases the risk for dehydration.
Food Safety Tips to prevent or decrease the potential health risk associated
with eating street food:
1. Always check/ observe the facilities used for cooking the street food (choose the
clean one).
2. Buy freshly prepared street food.
3. Ensure that the food was properly cooked before consuming it.
4. Use freshly prepared sauce/ dip.
5. Wash your hand before eating.
6. Choose to buy street food that is prepared indoors and stored properly (sealed
containers or storage).
7. Immediate seek a medical assistance or treatment in case of discomforts.
8. Consume street food in moderation. Source:
Retrieved July 16, 2018, from
Therefore, whether to eat or not to eat street food is no longer a question if you http://www.thetrendingfacts.com/
care to risk your health.

61 | SAFETY