Deadly Street Food: Inside Douala’s Food Poisoning Outbreak and the Broken System That Enabled It

According to a press statement released by Laquintinie Hospital, around 60 individuals were rushed to the hospital around 4:00 PM after consuming contaminated food. Medical teams worked around the clock to provide emergency treatment.

“We mobilized over 100 healthcare personnel, including psychologists,” said Dr. Clarisse Mebande, Head of Emergency Services at Laquintinie Hospital. “This was done under urgent instruction from the Minister of Public Health. Our goal was to stabilize the victims quickly and prevent further fatalities.”

The Victims: Mostly Schoolchildren

Eyewitnesses report that most of the affected individuals were young students attending nearby public and private schools. Many had purchased a local street meal—believed to be a contaminated rice dish—before experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach cramps, and dizziness.

“My daughter collapsed in class,” said Mrs. Ndombele, a mother of one of the hospitalized students. “We had no idea it was something she ate just hours before.”

Authorities Respond Quickly

Local officials, including the Governor of the Littoral Region, visited the hospital to assess the situation and ensure coordination among emergency services. Meanwhile, the alleged vendor responsible for the contaminated food has voluntarily turned himself in to authorities, according to Le Courrier du Cameroun.

“The situation is now under control,” said Dr. Mouelle Kombi, Director of Laquintinie Hospital. “While it is true that two deaths were recorded at the scene of the incident, I want to clarify that no further deaths occurred at our facility.”

Expert Insights

Food safety specialists say this incident highlights long-standing issues in Cameroon’s informal food economy.

Dr. Alain Tchinda, a public health expert at the University of Douala, told us:
“This is not an isolated case. Street food is a daily necessity for many, but there is minimal regulation. Vendors often lack basic hygiene knowledge, which increases public health risks.”

Grassroots Reality: A Common Risk

In Douala, eating from roadside food vendors is part of everyday life for thousands, especially schoolchildren and workers from low-income families.

“It’s affordable and convenient,” said Mr. Emmanuel Ebong, a motorbike taxi driver. “But sometimes, we gamble with our health.”

A 2023 report by the Cameroon Food Security Observatory estimated that 60% of Douala’s population consumes street food at least once a day, yet less than 20% of vendors are officially registered or inspected regularly.

What’s Next?

The Ministry of Public Health is expected to launch an in-depth investigation and possibly revise existing food safety regulations. There are also calls for:

• Mandatory training for food vendors

• Random food quality inspections

• Public awareness campaigns on food hygiene

Conclusion

This tragedy has underscored the urgent need for better food safety policies, particularly in urban settings where informal economies dominate daily life. While emergency services have done commendable work to contain the crisis, many now demand long-term solutions to prevent similar disasters in the future.

“We mourn the loss of these young lives,” said a spokesperson for the Littoral Governor’s Office. “But let this also be a wake-up call to act—not just react.”