Street food safety and foodborne illness in Nigeria: An integrative review of epidemiology, vendor practices, and consumer behaviour

Foodborne illnesses remain a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly regarding street-vended foods. They contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates and an economic burden. This review synthesises evidence on the epidemiology of foodborne illnesses, vendor hygiene practices, and consumer awareness of street food safety in Nigeria, highlighting critical gaps between knowledge and practice. A systematic search conducted on 8th February 2025 across PubMed and Google Scholar identified 1,290 records. After removing 377 duplicates, 913 titles and abstracts were screened, and 233 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 86 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence points to widespread microbial contamination in street foods, including pathogens resistant to multiple antibiotics. Key risk factors include poor hygiene practices, unsafe preparation environments, limited access to clean water, and inconsistent application of food safety knowledge. Consumer awareness is uneven, with food choices influenced by demographic factors, perceived quality, cultural preferences, and visible hygiene conditions. Regulatory systems are often weak, and there is a clear gap between what vendors know and what they do in practice. Foodborne illness remains a serious public health issue in Nigeria. Improving vendor training, strengthening regulatory enforcement, enhancing infrastructure, and raising consumer awareness are critical steps toward safer food practices. Future research should focus on how interventions can close the gap between knowledge and practice in food safety.