Exposed to flies, dust and pathogens, this meat, often sold illegally and at attractive prices, constitutes a major health hazard.
Placed directly on the ground, infested with flies, dust, and other invisible vectors of disease, this is the danger to which beef sold in the open air is exposed. At the Mvog Atangana Mbala market in Yaoundé 4, this was the observation made on Monday, August 25, 2025, upon seeing these street vendors encountered in the capital’s streets. Sometimes, the ground itself serves as their stall. This raises questions about the consequences of the actions of these vendors without counters, who, at first glance, seem unaware of the harmful effects of their
practices. Yet, make no mistake, it is this meat, sold on trays, tarpaulins, and sometimes even on a simple piece of plastic, that will end up on the consumer’s plate. The Mvog Atangana Mbala market is proof that these vendors, generally of a particular type, do not respect the hygiene rules inherent in the sale of food products. However, they are now found in all the markets of Yaoundé, and sometimes they even find their way into consumers’ homes, as they circulate freely throughout the city. And the consumer, in turn, doesn’t dare inquire about the origin of this fresh meat that is being sold to them. Yet, hygiene regulations dictate that food sold must be protected to guarantee the health of the buyer.
Secrecy surrounding the sale despite the exposure
The customers, meanwhile, are attracted by the loud calls of the vendors offering enticing prices. Prices start at 1000 or 2000 CFA francs, depending on the customer’s demand. This is what justifies selling the meat despite the difficult conditions. For most of these vendors, there are plenty of reasons to justify their work. For Ibrahim, who has been in this market for five years, it’s against his will. « We sell here because there’s no space; besides, the shop owners won’t let us put down stools. So, our hands get tired, and we’re forced to put the trays on the ground; we can’t stand all day carrying the load. Sometimes, we have to move around to sell all the meat; it’s not because we want to. » He adds to this the difficulty of obtaining the meat. “Getting this meat isn’t easy for Ibrahim: I have to go to the slaughterhouse very early, sometimes I have to go to the Mfoundi market, it all depends on what time I leave.” Faced with doubts about the origin of this meat, health workers are warning consumers.
Health risks according to medical advice
According to veterinarian Fortune, those who venture into buying and consuming this meat sold « on the black market » are exposed to several diseases, including zoonoses, especially since it is difficult to prove that the meat has been inspected. Added to this are the risks of consuming spoiled and infected meat, which can lead to infections from aerobic pathogens resulting from improper storage. Cameroonian legislation, for its part, has not remained silent regarding consumer protection. Penalties are in place to punish vendors who do not comply with current regulations. In such cases, they risk having their merchandise seized and destroyed (under the supervision of a health inspector).
Nevertheless, all hope is not lost: consumers can protect themselves from these exposed and disease-causing products by buying healthy meat. To do this, they should look for the stamp on the meat (a kind of colored blue or green seal), buy meat that appears fresh, odorless, and free of flies, and choose meat sold on a covered table from approved outlets known for adhering to health standards.
