In hot weather, street food can pose a 'mobile' danger
Street vendors selling stuffed mussels, simit, sunflower seeds on trays, corn in buckets, or cotton candy in bags among sunbathers on the beach in Antalya pose a risk to public health.
Ali Manavoğlu, President of the Antalya Branch of the Food Engineers Association, stated that street foods sold openly, exposed to the sun for long periods, and not adhering to hygiene standards should not be consumed.
With the rise in temperatures, the number of street vendors has increased at beaches where people go to enjoy themselves and cool off, despite the bans. Vendors who walk among sunbathers selling boiled corn in buckets, stuffed mussels or simit on trays carried on their heads or shoulders, and sunflower seeds in bags, pose a health risk due to the prolonged exposure of food to dust and sunlight. The sale of popular street foods like mussels and boiled corn, which are kept under the sun for extended periods without proper hygiene and storage conditions, increases the risk of food poisoning for consumers.
Ali Manavoğlu, President of the Antalya Branch of the Food Engineers Association, stated that the sale of stuffed mussels, corn, simit, and sunflower seeds that have been exposed to the sun and dust for extended periods poses a health risk. Manavoğlu emphasized the need to be cautious with the consumption of open-air mussels and added that the sale of mussels produced in unlicensed, unregistered, and unauthorized conditions, without adhering to the cold chain in hot weather, threatens public health.
DANGER OF BACTERIA IN STUFFED MUSSELS
Manavoğlu, explaining the health risks of stuffed mussels produced in unhygienic conditions and sold openly without adhering to the cold chain in hot weather, stated: "There is a high likelihood of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Vibrio forming in stuffed mussels. Openly sold stuffed mussels are not produced under hygienic conditions and do not follow the cold chain. Consuming these mussels can lead to illnesses. Pregnant women may face the risk of miscarriage, and individuals with weakened immune systems may require prolonged hospital treatment."
RISK OF FOOD POISONING
Ali Manavoğlu pointed out that the extended exposure of boiled corn, which is not sold in hygienic conditions and has water added in a bucket, to sunlight increases bacterial growth. He explained that Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria can form in corn products. "Boiled corn is left in water after cooking, with periodic additions of water and ice. Water provides a suitable environment for microbial growth. Especially in corn products, bacteria arising from inadequate environmental conditions can negatively affect health. This may lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and food poisoning," he said.
Ali Manavoğlu also noted that the bacterial growth in simit and sunflower seeds sold openly is accelerated when these items are exposed to the sun for long periods after being contaminated with dust or foreign substances. Manavoğlu emphasized that people should avoid consuming food products that are sold openly and exposed to the sun for extended periods.
