Residents of Kigali, who purchase food packaged in plastic bags and envelopes, including cooked beans commonly referred to as “Me 2 You,” have expressed concerns that the unsanitary conditions of the packaging could be the cause of numerous hygiene-related diseases.
Following interviews conducted by Sound of Africa with various residents of Kigali who preferred to remain anonymous, they raised concerns that the way food is packaged could lead to the spread of multiple illnesses. One resident said, “In regular shops, there is a problem. They use old printed papers to package items like flour, doughnuts, and other foodstuffs. It is clear that this can have negative effects on health.” The resident added that these envelopes are often sealed with glue, raising concerns that the unsanitary materials used could lead to disease.
Another resident, whom we named Mbarubukeye, added, “The issue is that people often use homemade envelopes, while the factory-made envelopes are not in common usage.” He noted these homemade envelopes are glued together. “When this glue comes into contact with food, it can affect your health.”This resident went further to express concerns over the improper ways these envelopes are stored, noting that while people have continued to use them, they hold so many health risks, even to the extent that they can hold bacteria that cause illness.
The food hygiene-related diseases are common but easily avoidable; this is asserted by Dr. Christine Mukantwari, a researcher at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO. She said, “The proper cleanliness and hygiene of foodstuff preparation is paramount, especially if we are to reduce the diseases caused by consuming contaminated foodstuffs.” She added, cleanliness should be ensured right from the source where the foodstuff is harvested and during transportation to the market and finally to the households where the foodstuff is prepared and served.
Dr. Mukantwari emphasized that poor handling of food from the farm can compromise the quality of the crops, leading to food spoilage and health risks such as diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal worms, and other diseases. She said, “These hygiene-related illnesses can prevent people from absorbing essential nutrients properly.”
Experts have pointed out that foodborne diseases have a significant impact on public health, especially in Rwanda, where 15% of affected individuals are children under five. The burden of foodborne illnesses reaches 56% of this group, with 31% suffering from malnutrition-related stunting.
