Street-Vended Local Food Systems Actors Perceptions on Safety in Urban Ghana: The Case of Hausa Koko, Waakye and Ga Kenkey

Abstract

Safe foods are those that do not cause any harm after their consumption. Food safety and its relationship with public health are of major concern to many people, especially, because of foods susceptibility to contamination. Literature on local foods addressed the biological processes of ingredients used in their preparation, and the nutritional, physical and safety aspects of foods. Generally, most food vendors and consumers were not concerned about hygienic practices but instead, about the social relations established between them and the aesthetics, the appearance and presentation of food. People do not take food risks seriously since they have several ways of dealing with it. They have different perceptions of food quality and safety.