OMM Newsroom
The open-air sale of meat products such as sausages at metro exits and on streets in Baku is raising food safety concerns.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports, citing Xəzər Xəbər, that a news crew observed products displayed for sale in open conditions at stalls near the exit of the 20 Yanvar metro station.
Vendors said the products were fresh and bore expiry dates, but did not clearly answer questions about where they came from.
One vendor declined to disclose where the products had been brought from. Another claimed the sausages carried the relevant information on their packaging, but could not provide precise details about their prices.
People who buy sausages from street vendors have differing views. Some say they choose the products because they are inexpensive. Others avoid them because they are unsure how the food is stored or what it contains.
A resident who said they felt unwell after eating a sausage bought on the street said they had purchased it because it was cheap and their financial means were limited. They advised others not to buy such sausages.
Food safety expert Elshan Jafarov said meat products kept in improper conditions could pose serious risks to human health. He said some products may contain meat substitutes, starch and other fillers. The expert also stressed that improper storage of such foods increases the risk of foodborne illness.
The Food Safety Agency said cases of high-risk food products being sold on streets, roadsides and near metro exits had been observed. According to the agency, such locations often lack appropriate display cases, hygiene requirements are not met and refrigeration equipment is not used.
The agency noted that selling meat, fish, dairy and other high-risk products on streets and roadsides without complying with food safety standards and requirements is unacceptable and may endanger human health.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said police had put an end to illegal street trading that had prompted complaints from residents in Baku’s Nasimi district. It said measures in accordance with the law had been taken against those engaged in trade that obstructed pedestrian movement in the area.
Although low prices may attract buyers, consumers should consider the products’ origin and storage conditions. They should choose products with the required information on their labels, stored according to safety requirements and sold at reliable outlets.
