Assessment of fecal indicator bacteria and vendors' handling practices for safety of salads and raw leafy vegetables in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Authors

Gloria B. Mrisho, Department of Chemical and Processing Engineering, College of Engineering Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35131, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Thomas J. Lyimo, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Godwill D. Mrema, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

Fresh leafy vegetables have gained popularity in Tanzanian cities due to their nutritional benefits and increased promotion by health practitioners. Assessment of their microbiological quality and safety is essential for determination of associated health risks. This study enumerated Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) for determination of microbiological quality and safety of fresh leafy vegetable salads sold by street vendors and raw leafy vegetables obtained from Sinza market in Dar es Salaam. Handling practices, awareness and consumer satisfaction on the safety of leafy vegetable salads was also assessed among salad street vendors and consumers. Samples were collected from four stations and analyzed for FIB namely Total Coliforms (TC) and Fecal Coliforms (FC) using standard methods. Handling practices, awareness and satisfaction among vendors and salad consumers were assessed using structured questionnaires. The results showed that TC counts, expressed as colony-forming units per gram of sample (CFU/g), in salad and leafy vegetable samples ranged from 1.42 ± 0.58 × 10⁵ to 1.60 ± 0.68 × 10⁵. Similarly, FC counts ranged from 5.96 ± 2.55 × 10⁴ CFU/g to 6.28 ± 2.24 × 10⁴ CFU/g. Both TC and FC levels exceeded the recommended limits set by international and Tanzanian standards, indicating unacceptable microbiological quality and potential public health risks. These findings indicate inadequate hygienic handling and sanitation practices along the leafy vegetable supply chain and highlight the need for strengthened food safety interventions. Such interventions should include targeted hygiene training for vendors, improved consumer awareness, routine monitoring of salads, and stricter enforcement of existing food safety regulations

Recommended Citation

Mrisho, Gloria B.; Lyimo, Thomas J.; and Mrema, Godwill D. (2026) "Assessment of fecal indicator bacteria and vendors' handling practices for safety of salads and raw leafy vegetables in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 52: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2181