Dirty river water raises food safety alarm
DAR ES SALAAM: DAR ES SALAAM residents could be exposed to serious health risks after food traders were found washing fresh fish and vegetables in the Gide River beneath the John Kijazi Interchange in Ubungo before selling them at nearby markets.
The practice was witnessed during a ‘Daily News’ roving assignment, which found traders cleaning freshly caught fish in the river before placing them in plastic basins for sale.
Nearby, other traders were also seen washing vegetables in the same water, while scores of residents used the riverbanks for washing clothes, cleaning food and carrying out other household chores.
The river, which flows beneath one of the city’s busiest interchanges, appeared murky, with waste scattered along sections of its banks as people continued to use the water for various daily activities.
The observations have raised concerns over food safety and public health, as consumers may unknowingly purchase food that has been washed using unsafe water.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), contaminated water used in food preparation can expose consumers to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and diarrhoea illnesses if proper hygiene practices are not observed.
The sight of fish being rinsed in the river before being transferred to plastic basins ready for sale has also raised questions about compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations intended to protect consumers.
Residents living and working around the area said the river is frequently used for domestic activities, particularly by people who spend long hours operating businesses near the interchange.
When contacted, Ubungo Municipal Health Officer Hassan Chitu said the municipality was not aware of the practice but promised immediate follow-up.
“We are not aware of what is happening there. We will send our officers to inspect the area and establish the facts. If public health regulations are being violated, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
He said food intended for public consumption should always be handled using clean and safe water to minimise the risk of contamination and safeguard public health.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of regular inspections of food handling practices in busy urban areas, where hundreds of people buy fresh produce and fish every day.
Public health authorities advise food handlers to maintain proper hygiene standards and use safe water throughout the food preparation process to reduce the risk of spreading preventable diseases.
