‘Fast foods’ – business or death sentence

Eugeniah Madhidha

The coming in of the global economic crisis has seen most families venturing into small businesses to save themselves from the devastating effects. This has seen many Tanzanians venturing into food businesses selling various types of foods, ranging from roasted chicken, chips, fruits and so on just but to mention a few.

Though these businesses have brought in smiles on the faces of most families whose members could be sleeping on empty stomachs but who are now having food on the table every evening, these food vendors have for a long time now been blamed for operating under unhygienic areas something that can fuel diseases.

These vendors have been blamed not only of spreading the dreaded cholera, but have also been blamed for fueling reckless eating habits for the ordinary people in this country who eat what ever they come across as long as it is cheap.

A cardiologist from India's Nayarayana Hrudulayala Heart Institute, Dr Pujar Suresh, over the weekend said the majority of Tanzanians risk getting diabetes and high blood pressure due to poor eating habits.

The heart specialist made the remarks in Dar es Salaam shortly after examining about 200 patients at the Regency Medical Centre during a two-day free heart testing.

Dr Suresh noted that his examinations found out that the number of patients were overweight and shown signs of diabetes, whose cause is over eating as well as eating haphazardly.

A snap survey by this reporter revealed that many people eat blindly as they don’t care much as to what goes into their mouths as long as it is affordable.

“ I usually do not mind what I eat, though I have my favourite food which is fish and rice. I eat a wide range of foods. What determines what I eat is my pocket. Sometimes I just buy a soft drink and chips or chicken if I have money,” said a man who identified himself as Pendo, a resident of Yombo, Kilakala

He went on to say that food is readily accessible in Dar es Salaam and that normally he eats at a number of places and different meals though he has his favourite place.

Another resident, who couldn’t be drawn into mentioning her name confirmed that many people eat haphazardly and that what usually determine what people eat, is the size of their pockets.

The Acting Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Evance Balama, has already issued a statement warning the vendors to stop operating from unhygienic places such as open areas to curb the cholera pandemic, but this if fully implemented will not only save the public when it comes to the pandemic, but will go a long way in reducing eating of fast foods that are hurriedly prepared, that have been attributed to the heart problems facing many people.

It is unfortunate that the RC’s order has been stalled by laxity and bribery allegations amongst city executives and militiamen. On the other hand, the vendors have remained adamant that they will continue with their businesses despite the existence of an order barring them from doing so.

Dr Pujar Suresh went on to urge the government to take immediate actions by providing education to the public through mass media to save people from the risks.

This will go a long way in conscientising people so that they worry of their health and eat healthy foods. Failure to do, many ordinary people will continue to eat their way to their graves after succumbing to heart diseases, something not good for development.

Ends.