Perishable food, such as fresh fruit, meats and kebabs are being sold in the open in unhygienic conditions in different parts of Kabul, a threat to the city’s sanitation as well as the health of those who consume it. Officials appear unable to control this, even in the well-guarded and policed area around the Presidential Palace.
Perishable food, such as fresh fruit, meats and kebabs are being sold in the open in unhygienic conditions in different parts of Kabul, a threat to the city’s sanitation as well as the health of those who consume it. Officials appear unable to control this, even in the well-guarded and policed area around the Presidential Palace.
At the Sepahi Gumnam Charahe (square of the Unknown Soldier) near the Palace, there are many poor people trying to earn a living hawking their wares, some of them selling food in open containers. Amongst them is a small boy sitting on the wall selling pomegranate seed. “I sell pomegranate because it is very delicious and sweet. Many people come and buy it, especially when it is hot. It has not made anyone ill yet”, he says.
Not far from here, is a hotel located between Deh Afghanan and Ministry of Information and Culture. The Kebab served by this hotel is prepared in the very dusty open space. The cooking releases a thick pall of smoke adding to the air pollution. The waiters of the hotel also look slovenly and the hotel owner refuses permission for the Killid reporter to enter the kitchen.
All this is taking place not in some far flung quarter of Kabul but a stone’s throw from the Presidential palace. Walking in the area, Ahmad Bashir, who has returned to the country recently expresses shock at the unsanitary conditions. “When you look at the dirty rivers full of rubbish you cannot imagine that the Presidential palace is located nearby.”
Not far from this there is a spot where meat is being sold from where a strong stench of rotting emanates. Though clearly unhygienic, it is also often the only affordable source of meat for the poor. “I do not have any other alternative. I have to buy these unhealthy meats because it is cheaper than other meats”, says a 32 year old woman buying for her family.
Nearby is a man selling food in sacks, the food thrown out by the hotels. “This rice is completely healthy and prepared very well”, he says defensively. Stored in the sack in hot weather the food may be rotting but often the only option for someone trying to feed his family.
There is an old saying: “It would be better to eat donkey’s meat than dying.” Dr. Safiullah Safa, of the Ibn-e-Sina General Hospital, says consumption of such food could be dangerous. But those buying this food are generally not aware that they could fall ill because of the bad quality.
Though it is poor people who come here to shop, the market for sub-standard food is not limited to them. A middle-aged man purchases rotting meat from a butcher claiming it is for his pets. But the butcher knows the customer and says: “This man has a hotel and he will cook and serve this to his customers.”
Dr. Abdullah Fahim, one of the officials to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, claims officials are taking action. “There are many food providers and suppliers who are controlled and managed by the Ministry of Public Health and Directorate of Markets Adjustment of the Kabul Municipality and if they provide unhealthy foods, it will be stopped.”
Din Mohammad Mahmoodi, Head of Directorate of Markets Adjustment to the Kabul Municipality, confirms his organization is responsible for controlling the quality of food materials. “We have repeatedly warned these carts and peddlers to stop selling unhealthy and unsafe food stuffs, but they just move to another location and continue. These hotels and places need to be brought under control. We will force shop keepers and food suppliers to observe the health standards, particularly butchers who should refrigerate the meat.”
Though the food is sold openly and can be found in almost any of the bazaars of Kabul, officials are apparently unaware of it. “The citizens of Kabul should cooperate with us, and provide us with the information”, says Mahmoodi.
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