Much of the food on sale in popular fast food joints contains toxic chemicals and could cause cancer, new tests have confirmed.
The tests, commissioned by The Nation, showed that ready-to-eat chicken is contaminated with bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms.
The popular chicken, consumed by many, also tested positive for sodium metabisulphite, a preservative that scientists say causes cancer if consumed in large amounts.
Eateries that specialize in these kinds of food have been blamed for not sticking to public health standards.
[caption caption="File image of a meal from a fast food joint"]
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Such eateries are very popular in cities such as Nairobi and attract big crowds every day.
This makes it much easier for diseases to spread.
“The presence of these bacteria points a direct finger to bad cooking and hygiene practices because they indicate that the meat has been in contact with faecal matter.
"The person handling this food is either not cooking it properly or is not washing hands after visiting the toilet,” Dr Joseph Wahome, a toxicologist at Meru Level Five Hospital, stated.
He urged eateries to employ proper cooking and food handling techniques to keep their customers safe and healthy.
Dr Wahome noted that chicken should be washed before cooking to reduce bacterial contamination, but cautioned that washing had limited effect on chemical contaminants.
[caption caption="Chicken served with chips and a salad"]
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