Socio-economic Profile of Street Food Vendors and Quality Evaluation of Samosa and Panipuri in Allahabad City, (UP) India

The present study aimed to correlate socioeconomic profile of street food vendors and the microbiological quality of Samosa and Panipuri served by food vendors in Allahabad City, (U.P.) India. The data were gathered from 21 food vendors using semi structured questionnaires. The results showed that the street food sector is dominated by males, and 28.5% of them attended primary school and only 9% were graduate. 33.3% vendors washed their hands before and after the preparation of food. 76% vending site were found to be dirty but 57% vendors showed clean personal hygiene. A total 33 samples were collected for analysis. 10 water samples were also collected in sterile glass bottles and transported to laboratory within 1 hr. to test for the presence of coliforms. 80% water samples were showed presence of coliforms. The microbiological result of food item showed the presence of Salmonella (75%) in Samosa and 60% in Panipuri, Yeast and Mold (36%) in Samosa and (81%) in Panipuri. The result also showed high content of fat in the range 20-32% in Samosa samples and in case of Panipuri it was 11-16%. It is suggested that regular monitoring of the quality of street foods must be practiced to avoid any food-borne infection in future and used of appropriate frying medium concerning the health of customers. Gawande H.A. et al 276