Environmental exposure assessment of lead and cadmium in street vended foods sold in selected locations in Kenya

The preparation and handling practices, as well as raw materials for street food vending businesses, could be sources of toxic heavy metals in street vended foods (SVFs). The objective of this study was to assess the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in ready-to-eat SVFs sold in selected locations within Thika town, Kenya. A total of 199 samples consisting of cereal-based foods, sliced fruits, salads, groundnuts, tubers, fresh fruit juices, eggs, smokies, and sausages were randomly collected for analysis. The concentration of Pb and Cd in street vended foods (SVFs) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated that at least one of the food sample types was contaminated with Pb. The level of Pb contamination in SVFs ranged between 0.271 +/- 0.070 and 1.891 +/- 0.130 mg/kg with groundnuts recording significantly (p < .0001) higher levels (1.891 mg/kg) than all other food samples. Cadmium contamination levels in the SVF samples ranged between 0.001 +/- 0.001 and 0.010 +/- 0.003 mg/kg. Significantly (p < .0001) high levels of Cd were observed in cereal-based foods (0.010 mg/kg) and fresh fruit juices (0.008 mg/kg). The Pb concentrations reported in this study are a food safety concern since they exceed the maximum recommended limits set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) food standards program. There is therefore a need for the establishment and enforcement of policies to govern the street food vending businesses to reduce heavy metal contamination in the SVFs.

Automated summary

This study assessed the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in ready-to-eat street vended foods (SVFs) sold in Thika town, Kenya. The results showed that at least one food sample was contaminated with Pb, exceeding the recommended limits. Therefore, there is a need for policies to reduce heavy metal contamination in SVFs.