Arámbulo P, Almeida C R, Cuéllar J, Belotto A J
PAHO, Veterinary Public Health Program, Washington, D.C. 20037.
Bull Pan Am Health Organ. 1994 Dec;28(4):344-54.
Despite occasional attempts to repress it, street food vending in Latin America appears to be on the rise--encouraged by growing marginal urban populations, the unemployed status of innumerable potential street vendors, lengthening commutes for workers, public demand for cheap and culturally appropriate food near workplaces, and a shortage or absence of regular establishments serving such food. Besides placing a hidden burden on public services, the generally unregulated and quasi-clandestine street food industry tends to observe poor hygienic practices and to pose significant public health problems. Within this context, Latin America's cholera epidemics have drawn increasing attention to street food's potential for disease transmission and have created growing support for attempts to resolve these troubles. What appears needed at this point, rather than futile attempts at abolition, is a new and more positive approach wherein countries change their regulations so as to permit peaceful and constructive adaptation of street food vending to a new style of Latin American social life. This implies legal reorganization directed at structurally developing street food vending and permitting application of measures--especially provision and use of safe water--that will foster good hygiene and safe foods. It also implies creating programs to provide appropriate training for inspectors as well as health education for both vendors and consumers of street food; and it implies promoting and adopting improved methods for preparing and selling such food. There is no reason to suppose these measures will provide an immediate panacea for the street food vending problem; but there is good reason to think they can immensely improve the situation that exists today.
尽管偶尔有人试图加以压制，但在拉丁美洲，街头食品摊贩生意似乎呈上升趋势——城市边缘人口不断增加、无数潜在街头摊贩处于失业状态、工人通勤时间变长、公众对工作场所附近廉价且符合当地文化特色食品的需求，以及提供此类食品的正规场所短缺或根本没有，这些因素都起到了推动作用。除了给公共服务带来隐性负担外，通常不受监管且近乎秘密经营的街头食品行业往往卫生习惯不佳，还会引发重大公共卫生问题。在此背景下，拉丁美洲的霍乱疫情日益引发人们对街头食品疾病传播可能性的关注，并为解决这些问题的努力赢得了越来越多的支持。此时，需要的并非徒劳的取缔尝试，而是一种新的、更积极的方法，即各国改变其监管规定，以便让街头食品摊贩经营能够和平且建设性地适应拉丁美洲新的社会生活方式。这意味着进行法律重组，旨在从结构上发展街头食品摊贩经营，并允许采取措施——尤其是提供和使用安全饮用水——以促进良好卫生和安全食品。这还意味着制定方案，为检查员提供适当培训，并为街头食品摊贩和消费者开展健康教育；这意味着推广并采用改进的食品制备和销售方法。没有理由认为这些措施会立即解决街头食品摊贩经营问题；但有充分理由认为它们能极大地改善当前的状况。
