ABSTRACT
The assessment of heavy metals (lead and mercury) and by-product (sulphur) on fried food sold by roadside food vendors in Calabar; Nigeria were investigated. The food samples which were covered and uncovered after frying were obtained randomly from 20 street food vendors. The food samples were obtained from 10 busy roads and 10 non- busy roads in Calabar; Nigeria. The busy roads were those roads that recorded more than 20 cars per minute; while the non-busy roads recorded less than 10 cars per minute. The result showed that the busy roads had significant (P0.05) higher depositions of heavy metals and by-products than the non-busy roads. Lead deposits on the food samples was significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of mercury and significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of sulphur deposit. The amount of sulphur deposit on the food samples was significantly higher (P0.05) than mecury. The food samples that was uncovered after frying had a significantly higher (P0.05) deposit of heavy metal and by-product than the food samples that were covered after frying. This result suggest that fried foods vended in calabar by the road-side have a serious public health concern
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , Food Contamination , Lead , Mercury , SulfurABSTRACT
The evaluation of heavy metals in canned meat and fish foods sold in Calabar; Nigeria was investigated. Ten samples from six different brands of canned meat and fish sold in Calabar were obtained from randomly selected markets and grocery shops. Each of the different sample types were then pooled together brand-wise and then evaluated for heavy metal deposits; lead; Mercury; Arsenic and cadmium; using standard techniques. Lead level in canned fish (0.988mg/kg); (0.816mg/kg) in meat were significantly higher (P
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , MetalsABSTRACT
The chemical and biological evaluation of fried plantain sold by roadside vendors was investigated. Twentyone male wister albino rats weighing between 35g to 80g were divided into three groups of seven rats each. Group 1 (control) rats were fed with plantain fried with fresh vegetable oil (FVO); Group 2 rats were fed plantain fried with 7 days used oil (degraded oil; DO); and Group 3 rats were fed with plantain fried with degraded oil but treated with antioxidant vitamin C (TDO). After 11 wks of feeding; the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and dissected. The livers were removed; weighed; crushed and centrifuged in normal saline to obtain homogenates that were used for analysis of total protein and total lipids. The results showed a significant decrease (p
Subject(s)
Commerce , Musa/chemistry , RatsABSTRACT
Consumer awareness of safe food handling in food service establishments was investigated. The survey was carried out using 500 questionnaires administered at different food establishments in Calabar; Nigeria. The return rate of questionnaires was 74. The survey result revealed that people who eat out regularly claimed that the standard of food hygiene in food establishments was important to them when deciding where to dine. 67of respondents had concerns/ complaints about the hygiene standards of food establishments they used. 78of consumers believed that they have the right to receive information on hygiene standards of eating places. Most would welcome a reliable system to help them judge hygiene standards. About 65thought there was inadequate consumer information on hygiene standard of eating places. If access to information was made easier; 59of respondents claimed they would eat out more often. Respondents preferred the use of scores to inform them on hygiene standards. Generally; consumers claimed to be unaware of food safety standards in food service establishments. The result therefore showed that the Nigerian consumer basically judged food safety in terms of sensory perception and lacked any form of judgment based on microbiological safety