Consumer Perception and Safety Assessment of Fortified Street Foods in Urban Nigeria: A Study of the Owerri Metropolis

This study investigated consumer perception and safety assessment of fortified street-vended foods within the Owerri metropolis of urban Nigeria. Given the vital role that street foods play in the daily diets of low- and middle-income populations, understanding consumers’ views on their nutritional value and safety was considered essential. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting 200 respondents, of which 181 valid responses were retrieved and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. The findings revealed a generally low level of awareness regarding food fortification, with only 24.8% of respondents indicating familiarity with fortified foods. Despite this, the majority expressed confidence in the safety of fortified foods, particularly when certified by health authorities. Nutritional value (83.9%), hygiene, and food safety (54.6%) were rated as very important factors influencing purchasing decisions. Key concerns identified included poor vendor hygiene, microbial contamination, and improper food handling. Conversely, factors such as familiarity with vendors and proximity to vending locations were considered less important by most respondents. The study concluded that although fortified street foods had the potential to improve urban nutrition, gaps in public knowledge and vendor practices limited their impact. It recommended intensified public nutrition education, regular training for vendors on hygiene practices, and strengthened regulatory enforcement to improve food safety and increase the acceptance of fortified foods in urban Nigerian communities.