Food Safety Hazards and Risk Associated with Fresh Vegetables: Assessment from a Traditional Market in Southern Ethiopia


This EatSafe report includes results from several studies conducted in a large traditional market in Hawassa, Ethiopia from April to December 2022, including: a market reconnaissance study to document market dynamics; a survey of 385 consumers and focus group discussions with over 20 consumers to understand food handling and preparation practices; microbiological analysis of food samples to estimate the frequency of occurrence and levels of generic E. coli, Salmonella, and Total Coliform bacteria; and a a risk assessment for Salmonella to quantitatively assess the relative exposure and risk of illness from consuming tomatoes, kale, and lettuce.