The majority of roadside food in Vietnam is infected with E.coli bacterium, a recent survey revealed.
The Department of Food Safety and Hygiene\'s survey showed that 96.7% of boxed ice cream sold in front of primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City is infected with E.coli. Ice lollies and fast food proved equally unhealthy with 83.3% and 90% respective infection rates.
In Hanoi, fermented fork rolls topped the list for E.coli contamination with 88%. It was followed by nom, known as sweet and sour grated salad, with 78%.
The survey also indicated that nearly 70% of fried meat is contaminated with toxic artificial colouring and micro-organisms.
As many as 36% of sausages and 88% of pork pies and fermented pork rolls contain coliform, and over 80% of spoons, chopsticks and forks used at roadside food stalls are unhygienic.
The department attributed the contamination mainly to the unhygienic processing, causing food poisoning.
Most people involved in food preparation or retail do not wear gloves during their work, exacerbating the food contamination.
According to the survey, as many as 62.5% of serving staff at restaurants and hotels in Hanoi have their hands contaminated by E.coli. In Ho Chi Minh City, the rate is estimated at 67.5%.
