Reasonable prices, great products and convenience make street vending a popular practice in Jamaica. To grab a quick bite from your favourite jerk or fruit man, or taste ‘Soupy’s’ special is a simple pleasure many Jamaicans have come to know and love growing up.
But all is no longer well in the streets. On social media a video went viral showing a vendor at the Crab stalls on Heroes Circle relieving herself into a bucket. Another vendor took the video to expose the unhygienic practices at the stalls. It left many appalled and disgusted.
Condemnation on social media was instant. Jamaicans expressed their outrage, and the Ministry of Health launched an investigation that exposed additional food and health breaches on the property. The Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department wasted no time in shutting down all the crab stalls and warning other street vendors to uphold health standards or face similar penalties.
Needless to say, our fondness for street food has been greatly diminished. This debacle has forced Jamaicans to face the unfortunate reality that many of our beloved vendors lack basic food safety knowledge and do not observe sanitary practices. Some street food vendors prepare and serve food with no running water or proper bathroom arrangements. Others don’t even have vendor permits.
The Crab Circle, as it is popularly called, is a busy spot for cooked crabs, soup, and roasted corn, yam and saltfish. A year ago J. Wray and Nephew renovated the venue in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation.
This sad incident shows a serious need for intervention in the food vending industry. Because the public’s health and wellbeing are potentially at risk, authorities can no longer turn a blind eye. Implementing stricter health and safety regulations and requiring certification/training everyone will benefit everyone. We believe more customers will be drawn to certified vendors once they feel certain the food is prepared and served hygienically.
Admittedly, enforcing these restrictions won't be simple. There are those in our culture who have disdain for rules. But the authorities can promote public awareness of these rules so that people see why it is important to their health that they support the vendors who do follow the rules.
We are heartened that the HEART/NSTA Trust is sponsoring a 5-day food handling and preparation training course starting October 17. It is open to the Crab Circle vendors and other food sellers in the corporate area. Such interventions will be helpful in preserving the Jamaican culture of roadside street cuisine, and the livelihood for many who work in this industry.
We don’t know when Crab Circle will be reopened, but we hope such incidents are behind us. We all want street food to remain a vibrant part of our culture for both locals and visitors to enjoy!