Abstract: Food safety remains a critical public health challenge globally, particularly in developing regions where street food vending is widespread and often unregulated. This study evaluated the bacteriological quality of street-vended foods near the Otolo dumpsite in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria, where environmental contamination poses a significant risk to food safety. Adopting a cross-sectional descriptive design, the study collected and analyzed ten food samples, including beans, plantain, yam, akara (fried bean cakes), and okpa (steamed bean pudding), from local vendors. Samples were aseptically packaged, transported to the Microbiology laboratory of Technology Incubation Centre, Onitsha-Okigwe Expressway, Nnewi and subjected to microbiological analysis to identify bacterial isolates and assess contamination levels. The results revealed significant bacterial contamination across all food samples, with the highest total bacterial count recorded in beans. Identified pathogens included Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter spp., and Bacillus subtilis. The presence of fecal coliforms further indicated poor hygiene practices among vendors, likely due to the use of contaminated water and unsanitary food handling conditions. Statistical analysis using descriptive methods showed no significant relationship between bacterial isolates and the type of food sample (p = 0.952), suggesting that contamination was primarily driven by external factors such as environmental exposure, improper food handling, and proximity to the dumpsite. These findings underscore the severe public health risks associated with consuming street-vended foods in areas with poor sanitation. To address these risks, the study recommends comprehensive hygiene training for vendors, stricter enforcement of food safety regulations, and the relocation of vending sites to cleaner environments with access to potable water and waste disposal facilities. Additionally, regular microbial monitoring of street foods and public awareness campaigns on food safety practices are essential to reduce contamination and prevent foodborne illnesses. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions by policymakers, public health authorities, and community stakeholders to improve food safety standards and protect consumer health in high-risk settings.

Keywords: Bacterial contamination, Environmental, Fecal coliforms, Food safety, Public health.