Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background: Prepared food sold by street hawkers is vital to nutrition and economy in East African cities, but poor hygiene, infrastructure, and regulation heighten health risks. Methods: This study evaluated microbial contamination, physicochemical properties, and antimicrobial resistance of ready-to-eat foods from street vendors in Nyamirambo-Biryogo, a densely populated Kigali settlement. From January 2026 to September 2026, a cross-sectional study analyzed 50 food samples in 13 categories during peak times. Microbiological tests included total plate count, coliform count, and identification of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , and Salmonella spp. via ISO methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility and physicochemical tests (pH, water activity) were conducted. Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and chi-square tests assessed statistical differences by food type and sampling time. Results: Overall, 72% of samples exceeded at least one East African Community (EAC/FS 03:2021) microbiological safety limit. Mean total plate count was 5.8 ± 2.1 log₁₀ CFU/g, with highest contamination in Kachumbari (7.4), Brochettes (7.1), Fermented milk (6.9), and Chips (6.8). Total coliform count exceeded limits in 70% of samples. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella , and Escherichia coli were in 28, 36, and 12 percent of samples, respectively. Significant microbial load differences were found in midday versus morning and evening samples (p = 0.028). High moisture (water activity 0.95) and near-neutral pH supported pathogen growth. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 64% of Escherichia coli isolates mainly resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and amoxicillin-clavulanate and 67% of Salmonella isolates to resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline. Conclusions: Major microbial contamination of ready-to-eat foods in Nyamirambo-Biryogo poses risks of food-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Immediate actions are needed, such as food safety education, improved hygiene, temperature control, and regulatory structures to protect health and influence food safety policy in Rwanda.