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Cited by 8Food Safety and HygieneCoconut Research and ApplicationsRisk Perception and Management

Food vending safety concerns: Consumer perception on fresh coconut in New Juaben South Municipality of Ghana

Open access
Yaw Codjoe, Francis Nana, Debrah, Kofi Adade, Osei-Asare, Yaw Bonsu·2021·Cogent Food & Agriculture
DOI 10.1080/23311932.2021.1914908
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Abstract

This study assessed the perception of consumers on the safety of fresh coconut in the New Juaben South Municipality of Ghana. A study was conducted with 35 coconut vendors and 210 consumers using purposive and accidental sampling techniques. Officials of the municipal food safety regulatory bodies were interviewed to get the institutional regulatory aspects of coconut vending. Descriptive statistics were processed from the survey data. Post-harvest, marketing and servicing activities of coconut vendors were identified as a major threat to food safety in the municipality. High awareness of the health benefits of tender coconut water accounts for its continuous consumption among consumers. A majority (36.2%) of consumers were of the view that vendor operations are likely to result in malaria outbreaks followed by Covid-19 infections (26.2%), cholera (20%) and dysentery (17.6%). Increased awareness through education for vendors and consumers and improved regulatory functions are recommended because of the cultural significance and health benefits of coconut consumption.

Verified 2026-10-23 · 2 references not checked yet

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study examines consumer perceptions of fresh coconut safety in Ghana’s New Juaben South Municipality, identifying vendor post-harvest, marketing, and servicing practices as major food-safety and public-health threats. Despite high awareness of coconut water’s health benefits, consumers perceive malaria, Covid-19, cholera, and dysentery risks from vending operations, while municipal regulators are described as constrained and not effectively regulating coconut vending.

Key findings

  • Post-harvest, marketing, and servicing activities of coconut vendors were identified as a major threat to food safety: coconuts are harvested from bare/muddy ground, 82.9% are transported in open trucks, 82.9% of vendors lack proper storage, alum is used on pared coconut, and waste is left in sales areas.
  • Consumers perceived likely disease outbreaks from vending operations: malaria (36.2%), Covid-19 (26.2%), cholera (20%), and dysentery (17.6%).
  • Awareness of tender coconut water health benefits was high for some benefits—87.1% for protection from heart disease, 75.7% for improving blood pressure, and 72.9% for reducing cholesterol—but lower for antioxidant effect (28.1% awareness).
  • Coconut vending was male-dominated (91.4% male vendors), mostly stationary (71.4%), and none of the interviewed vendors belonged to a vendor association or had municipal licensing; consumers were mostly youth (75.7%) and female (57.1%), with 77.2% consuming street coconut for up to 20 years.

Methods

  • The study was conducted in the New Juaben South Municipality, Eastern Region, Ghana, using primary survey data from 35 coconut vendors and 210 consumers, plus interviews with officials from the Food and Drugs Authority and the Municipal Environmental Health and Sanitation Department.
  • Purposive and accidental sampling techniques were used; data were collected in June 2020 by four enumerators at eight concentrated coconut-vending sites, with a structured questionnaire and interview guide, alongside secondary sources from about 20 research articles.
  • Descriptive statistics were computed in IBM SPSS Statistics 22, with frequencies and percentages presented in tables; chi-square tests were performed on dichotomous responses.

Limitations

  • Not stated in the paper; the article has no explicit limitations section.
  • Evident from the text: the vendor sample was small (35 of 44 identified vendors), and the use of purposive and accidental sampling limits generalizability.
  • Evident from the text: analysis relies mainly on descriptive frequencies and percentages, with only one reported chi-square test, and consumer safety perceptions are not validated against microbiological or observational contamination measures.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/23311932.2021.1914908

Cites

26 of 28 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 7 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingnone given

    There are sometimes scars or wounds on fresh fruits from uncleaned harvesting tools.

    “There are sometimes scars or wounds on the fresh fruits from uncleaned harvesting tools.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Coconut vendors use alum in the quest of keeping pared coconut fresh.

    “Despite these safety concerns, vendors use this substance in the quest of keeping parred coconut fresh.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    The study identified four major activities-harvesting, transportation/conveyance to vending centres, handling during sale, and storage-as possible sources of threat to food safety and public health.

    “The study identified four major activities, namely, harvesting activities, transportation or conveyance activities to vending centres, handling of coconut during the sale to consumers and the storage activities as a possible source of threat to the safety of food and public health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Unwashed husk are improvised as spoons for scooping the meat of the coconut.

    “Moreover, unwashed husk are improvised as spoons for scooping the meat of the coconut thereby contaminating the meat during the process.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Fresh coconuts are not put into sacks during transportation.

    “Fresh coconuts are not put into sacks during the transportation process.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 28
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 24
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Vendor location choice in the municipality was influenced by busy nature (65.7%), many cars (11.4%), government workers (17.1%), and availability of space (5.8%).

    “While the majority (65.7%) of the choice of location for vending is influenced by the busy nature of a location, 11.4% of the vendors consider places where there are many cars such as lorry parks, roadsides and stations as suitable places to ply their business.”
    • Also stated in: § 5.1. Characteristics of coconut vendors in the municipality · plain
      “More so, 17.1% of the traders choose places where there are government workers with only few 5.8% making a choice based on the availability of space in the municipality since it is not every location or space that such street business could be conducted.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    None of the coconut vendors interviewed belonged to a vendor group/association or had been licensed by municipal authorities.

    “Additionally, none of the coconut vendors interviewed either belong to a vendor group/association or has been licensed by the appropriate municipal authorities to operate such a trade ().”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Coconut vending in the municipality can be classified into stationary and non-stationary types based on location, ease of movement, and number of coconut fruits.

    “The study revealed that based on the location, the ease of movement with fresh coconut and the number of coconut fruits involved, the type of coconut vending can be classified into stationary and non-stationary.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    About 71.4% of coconut vendors are stationary, while 28.6% are non-stationary.

    “About 71.4% are stationary vendors, while 28.6% are non-stationary vendors ().”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    77.2% of coconut consumers have been consuming fresh coconut from the streets for up to 20 years.

    “About 77.2% of them have been consuming fresh coconut from the streets for up to 20 years.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A majority (82.9%) of vendors have their coconut transported from source in open trucks, while 17.1% use other sources (tricycle, taxi boot, etc.).

    “A majority (82.9%) of the vendors have their coconut transported from the source to them in open trucks followed by 17.1% representing other sources of transportation (tricycle “Aboboyaa”, the boot of taxis, etc.).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A majority (77.1%) of coconut vendors in the municipality are adults above 35 years, with 22.9% being youth (18-35 years).

    “A majority (77.1%) of the vendors in the Municipality are adults above 35 years with 22.9% being youth (18–35 years).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given
    § Abstract

    High awareness of the health benefits of tender coconut water accounts for its continuous consumption among consumers.

    “High awareness of the health benefits of tender coconut water accounts for its continuous consumption among consumers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Coconut vendors operate near open gutters in the municipality, with some close to public toilets.

    “Vendors operate near open gutters in the municipality, with some close to public toilets.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    About 51.4% of vendors were introduced into street coconut vending by relatives, 25.7% by friends, and 22.9% by themselves.

    “About 51.4% of the vendors were introduced into the street coconut vending business by relatives (father, brother, uncle) followed by friends 25.7% and 22.9% by themselves.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The use of push truck (broken and functional) is the most prominent structure in coconut vending, used by 48.6% of vendors, followed by wheelbarrows (17.1%) and basin and pans (5.7%).

    “The use of push truck (broken and functional) remains the most prominent structure in the coconut vending business in the municipality as a majority (48.6%) of the vendors use it. This is followed by wheelbarrows (17.1%) and basin and pans (5.7%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    A majority (36.2%) of consumers were of the view that vendor operations are likely to result in malaria outbreaks, followed by Covid-19 infections (26.2%), cholera (20%) and dysentery (17.6%).

    “A majority (36.2%) of consumers were of the view that vendor operations are likely to result in malaria outbreaks followed by Covid-19 infections (26.2%), cholera (20%) and dysentery (17.6%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Stationary vendors have more than 100 single coconut fruits, while non-stationary vendors have less than 30 single fruits.

    “Stationary vendors have a large number of coconut fruits (more than 100 single fruits), while non-stationary vendors have a small number of coconut fruits (less than 30 single fruits).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    90.3% of coconut consumers had one form of education or the other.

    “A majority (90.3%) had one form of education or the other.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Fruits are gathered uncovered and sometimes covered with palm fronds and left on the farm for about 2 days in the open, exposed to rain, sunlight, and contamination with urine and faecal matter of pests such as squirrels and rodents, which negatively affects the quality of coconut water.

    “Fruits are gathered uncovered and sometimes covered with palm fronds and left on the farm for about 2 days in the open at the mercy of rain and sunlight and further contamination with the urine and faecal matter of pests such as squirrels and rodents which negatively affect the quality of coconut water.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Stationary vendors display fresh coconut on bare ground, broken push trucks and tables; non-stationary vendors display in wheelbarrows, functional push trucks, pans and basins.

    “The stationary vendors display their fresh coconut on the bare ground, broken push trucks and tables (), while the non-stationary vendors display theirs in wheelbarrows, functional push trucks, pans and basins ().”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The FDA indicates that they are most interested in well packaged "over-the-counter" foods and coconut vending is a grey area for them.

    “While the FDA indicates that they are most interested in well packaged “over-the-counter” foods and coconut vending is a grey area for them, the municipal assembly agrees to the responsibility of regulating coconut vending activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The municipal assembly agrees to the responsibility of regulating coconut vending activities.

    “While the FDA indicates that they are most interested in well packaged “over-the-counter” foods and coconut vending is a grey area for them, the municipal assembly agrees to the responsibility of regulating coconut vending activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given
    § 6. Conclusion

    The classification of coconut vendors is based on the location, ease of movement with fresh coconut and the number of coconut fruits involved in vending.

    “This classification of coconut vendors is based on the location, ease of movement with fresh coconut and the number of coconut fruits involved in vending.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The institutions are yet to engage coconut vendors in the municipality to undergo medical screening before issuing them with a medical certificate of fitness for them to operate legally.

    “They also indicated that they are yet to engage coconut vendors in the municipality to undergo medical screening before issuing them with a medical certificate of fitness for them to operate legally.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A chi-square test performed on the data showed a t-test value of 0.330, which is not statistically significant at even 10% (P > 0.1).

    “A chi-square test performed on the data showed a t-test value of 0.330, which is not statistically significant at even 10% (P > 0.1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Officials are particularly worried about communicable diseases transmission from vendors to their customers and believe the medical testing will help to forestall this.

    “Furthermore, officials are particularly worried about communicable diseases (e.g., dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera and fungal hand infections) transmission from vendors to their customers and believe the medical testing will help to forestall this.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    These institutions are constrained in terms of logistics and personnel restricting the enforcement of bye-laws and monitoring activities.

    “However, these institutions are constrained in terms of logistics and personnel restricting the enforcement of bye-laws and monitoring activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given
    § 6. Conclusion

    Coconut vending in the municipality is a male-dominated business.

    “Coconut vending in the municipality is a male-dominated business.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Some vendors arrange their wares nicely on tables, push trucks or in wheelbarrows, while others leave theirs in a heap on the ground.

    “Some vendors arrange their wares nicely on tables, push trucks or in wheelbarrows, while others leave theirs in a heap on the ground.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    The assembly has enacted a bye-law to control the disposal of waste.

    “Though the assembly has enacted a bye-law to control the disposal of waste, implementing officers do not seem to be strong enough to prosecute people who flout the regulation (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Citation2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Citation2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • Rests on an assumption: The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Contaminated fresh coconut water is a source of health threat to consumers and a public health concern.

    “This becomes a source of health threat to unsuspecting consumers, hence public health concern.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Coconut husk and broken shells pose a public health threat and a safety concern.

    “The coconut husk and broken shells serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and hiding places for reptiles and other pests, posing a public health threat and a safety concern.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    Consumers have a high level of knowledge on the health benefits of what they consume.

    “This suggests a high level of knowledge on the health benefits of what they consume.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The push-trucks can hold more coconut fruits and are easier to move around compared to other structures, hence the choice of their use by most vendors.

    “The push-trucks can hold more coconut fruits and are easier to move around compared to other structures, hence the choice of their use by most vendors in the coconut street trade.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The level of cleanliness of the water used by vendors and the type of packaging done for consumers remains a major food safety issue.

    “The level of cleanliness of the water used by vendors and the type of packaging done for consumers remains a major food safety issue.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Coconut husk and broken shells serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and hiding places for reptiles and other pests.

    “The coconut husk and broken shells serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and hiding places for reptiles and other pests, posing a public health threat and a safety concern.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The way coconut waste is disposed of may lead to environmental pollution and may serve as breeding grounds for insects and rodent pests if not properly managed.

    “This supports the findings of Oduro-Yeboah et al. (Citation2020) which state that the way coconut waste is disposed-off may lead to environmental pollution and may serve as breeding grounds for organisms such as insects and rodent pests if not properly managed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Oduro-Yeboah et al. (Citation2020)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Coconut vending is a laborious trade and requires exertion of physical strength.

    “In the case of coconut vending, which is an aspect of street trade in Ghana, this may not be applied because it is a laborious trade and requires exertion of physical strength.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Apprenticeship is required in coconut vending because skill is needed to know the type of coconut, consumer preference, paring, splitting, and harvesting.

    “Apprenticeship is required in this type of trade since skill is needed to be able to know the type of coconut, how consumers want the coconut (tenderness), the skill in paring and splitting and even in climbing coconut trees and harvesting since in most cases, vendors undertake these activities themselves.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Special skill is required in harvesting, peeling and splitting fresh coconuts.

    “Special skill is required in harvesting, peeling and splitting fresh coconuts.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Some fruits develop slight leakages during harvesting, becoming a secondary source of contamination from debris and dirt.

    “Some of the fruits develop slight leakages during this process and become a secondary source of contamination aside from coming into contact with debris and dirt.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    Some toxic chemicals are likely to be absorbed from the soil or water into coconuts.

    “Also, some toxic chemicals are likely to be absorbed from the soil or water.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The perception of the sales environment might be due to some vendors still operating near open gutters or drains and pavements and most coconut waste not being properly disposed of but left in the sales environment.

    “The perception of the sales environment might be due to the reason that some still operate their business near open gutters or drains and pavements and that most of the waste of the coconut is not properly disposed of but left in the sales environment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    The no use of sanitizers and lack of running water at the point of sale for vendors to thoroughly wash their hands and sanitize before serving their clients are likely to lead to COVID-19 infections.

    “The no use of sanitizers and lack of running water at the point of sale for vendors to thoroughly wash their hands and sanitize before serving their clients are likely to lead to COVID-19 infections.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    In general, consumers rated all the hygienic attributes as somewhat clean, indicating some need for improvement.

    “In general, consumers rated all the hygienic attributes as somewhat clean, indicating some need for improvement.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Consumers' perceptions accurately reflect the actual hygiene and safety conditions of coconut vending.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Once a consumer becomes aware of the benefits and nutritional value of coconut, it may lead to knowledge accumulation which may challenge already held constructs concerning the product, hence its subsequent patronage and consumption.

    “Once a consumer becomes aware of the benefits he/she derives from consuming coconut and its nutritional value therein, it may lead to knowledge accumulation which in turn may challenge already held constructs concerning the product, hence its subsequent patronage and consumption.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Broken shells are likely to store water and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes resulting in malaria.

    “The broken shells are likely to store water and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes resulting in malaria.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § 6. Conclusion

    There is a high knowledge or awareness on the health benefits of consuming tender coconut water among consumers accounting for the continuous consumption of fresh coconut on the streets of the municipality despite challenges with certain practices of vendors that have the likelihood to result in a threat to food safety and public health.

    “There is a high knowledge or awareness on the health benefits of consuming tender coconut water TCW among consumers accounting for the continuous consumption of fresh coconut on the streets of the municipality despite challenges with certain practices of vendors that have the likelihood to result in a threat to food safety and public health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Consumers' perceptions accurately reflect the actual hygiene and safety conditions of coconut vending.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Lack of clean water for washing coconuts before paring and the inability to change the water when it is dirty due to the location of the vendors might account for consumers' discomfort with the improvised spoon.

    “Lack of clean water for washing coconuts before paring and the inability to change the water when it is dirty due to the location of the vendors might account for this.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The likelihood of these public health outcomes is attributed to the poor and improper ways of disposing of coconut waste.

    “This is attributed to the poor and improper ways of disposing of coconut waste.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
46 of 46

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The municipal food safety actors mandated to regulate coconut sellers in New Juaben South Municipality have not been effective in ensuring proper fresh coconut safety handling.

    “The municipal food safety actors mandated to regulate properly the activities of the coconut sellers, have not been effective in ensuring proper fresh coconut safety handling .”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In recent times, there has been a rise in the consumption of fresh coconut due to its nutritional and medicinal value.

    “In recent times, there has been a rise in the consumption of fresh coconut due to its nutritional and medicinal value.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The safety of street foods has raised serious concerns.

    “However, the safety of these street foods has raised serious concerns.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The majority of people migrating to cities are women classified as low- to middle-income earners.

    “The majority of these people are women classified as low- to middle-income earners in the country.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Past studies on street food vendors in Ghana were centred on solid food and did not consider liquid foods.

    “The issues of interest to the majority of those studies were food safety, while others looked at the dynamics of the socioeconomics and all were centred on the solid food not taking into consideration the liquids.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Alum has side effects that make its use in preserving pared coconut a food safety and public health concern.

    “Due to its side effects, its usage has decreased drastically.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Operating near open gutters or public toilets and using unclean water or unwashed husk contaminates fresh coconut and poses a health risk.

    “Vendors operate near open gutters in the municipality, with some close to public toilets.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Consumers' perceptions accurately reflect the actual hygiene and safety conditions of coconut vending.

    “A majority (56.6%) of the consumers perceived the sales environment as somewhat clean, followed by 34.7% of not being clean 34.7% and 9.7% not being very clean.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The FDA and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department are the statutory bodies empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality, with the Ghana Public Health Act 2012 as legal backing.

    “Two public institutions, namely, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, are statutory bodies that are empowered by the Ghana government to ensure the safety of public foods in the municipality.”
9 of 9

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Chi-square result is labeled a t-test value

    Minor

    The text says a chi-square test was performed but calls its reported result a t-test value. The table heading also identifies the analysis as chi-square.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 22

  1. Ababio P. F., 2012, Internet Journal of Food Safety, 14, 35
  2. Adolf K. A., 2012, Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2012
  3. Arkhust E. D., 1991, Proceedings of the First African Coconut Seminar, 27
  4. Beccles R., 2014, Street vending in Ghana; a solution or a problem for development?
  5. Boakye N. Y. G., 2011, The street is only a stepping stone: Street vendors’ account of goals, strategies and obstacles
  6. Broadbent E., 2012, Research-based evidence in African policy debates
  7. Carandang E. V., 2008, Indian Coconut Journal-Cochin, 38, 8
  8. Chona, B. L. & Adansi, M. A. (1970). Coconut in Ghana. Crops Research Institute Bulletin No. 3. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Kwadaso.
  9. Ingram, J. S. I., Gregory, P. J. & Brklacich, M. (eds) (2005) GECAFS science plan and implementation strategy. ESSP report vol. 2. Global Environmental Change and Food Systems.
  10. International Labour Organization (ILO) & Women in informal Employment and Organizing (WIEGO), 2013, Women and Men in the informal Economy: A statistical picture (2nd ed.). Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization
  11. Klu, D. (n.d.). Street hawking and its impact on the beautification of the capital city of Accra [B.A thesis]. Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the Faculty of Social Sciences. pp. 1–91.
  12. Kwankye, O. S., Nyarko, E. P. & Tagoe, A. C. (2007): Reproductive health implications of street hawking in Accra. pp. 1–18. Paper presented at the Fifth African Population Conference, 10-17 December.
  13. Mensah P., 2002, How safeare They? Bulletin of the World Organization, 80, 546
  14. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, 2020, Local government bulletin no. 21
  15. Osei-Boateng C., 2011, The informal sector in Ghana
  16. Owusu Barimah A., 2013, Journal of Geography and Geology, 5, 168
  17. Solomon-Ayeh E. B., 2011, The Ghana Surveyor, 4
  18. Trade Union Congress Ghana (TUC) & WIEGO, 2013, Information Economy Legal Project Report from Sensitization workshop for street Vendors Held on 78 Tuesday, 3 September 2014 at the TUC Conference Hall, Accra
  19. Trade Union Congress Ghana (TUC) & WIEGO, 2013, Information Economy Legal Project Report from Stakeholders’ Policy Dialogue Held on Tuesday 3rd December 2013 at Cleaver House ,Accra
  20. Trade Union Congress Ghana (TUC) & WIEGO, 2014, Information Economy Legal Project Report from Sensitization workshop for street Vendors Held on 78 Tuesday, 3 September 2014 at the TUC Conference Hall, Accra
  21. Trade Union Congress Ghana (TUC) & WIEGO, 2014, Information Economy Legal Project Report from Campaign by street Vendors & Domestic Undertaken on 17 October 20144 in Accra
  22. World Health Organization, 2006, WHO Food Safety (FOS), 1

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Authors
Yaw Codjoe, F. N., Debrah, K. A., & Osei-Asare, Y. B.
Affiliations
  • Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • University of Ghana (GH)
ORCID
Osei-Asare, Yaw Bonsu
Venue
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2021-01-01
Volume
7
Issue
1
ISSN
2331-1932 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1080/23311932.2021.1914908
OpenAlex
W3158258190
Semantic Scholar
dbf60c84d8e1673601ffcf182a57258fdf69df09
Cited by
8
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2
FWCI
0.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Cogent Food & Agriculture (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Safety and Hygiene
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Coconut Research and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
Keywords
food vending, food safety, consumer perception, post-harvest marketing, food safety regulation, coconut water, malaria, cholera, dysentery

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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

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