Burkina Faso: The Health & Environmental Risks of Street Food Packaging
The late afternoon bustle of Zogona, a Ouagadougou neighborhood, is a scene of commerce and convenience increasingly reliant on single-use plastic, despite a recent national ban. As workers finish their days, streets fill with the sounds of vehicles and the activity surrounding makeshift food stalls. Many vendors, like Adjara, a bouillie (porridge) seller near the boulevard Thomas-Sankara, continue to rely on plastic sachets to serve customers quickly and efficiently.
“The seller packs the porridge in plastic bags, but if you wish to drink it here, she puts it in a bowl, but to seize away, it’s in a bag,” explained Ryan Coulidiati, a 3rd-year student, illustrating the common practice. Other customers, such as Mme Dabiré, a secretary, acknowledge the risks associated with plastic but cite practicality as a primary concern. “I try to minimize the risks, but sometimes I’m forced to,” she said, explaining the difficulty of carrying alternative containers after work.
Zogona itself is a historically significant district of Ouagadougou, located in the 4th arrondissement, formerly Nongr-Maasom. The area is well-known for being home to the University of Ouagadougou and other landmarks. While its name has Islamic connections, its precise meaning remains unclear. The neighborhood’s boundaries have evolved over time, now encompassing the university, Bangr-Weoogo urban park, the national museum, and parts of Wemtenga and the 1200 Logements district, according to Mahamad Sakandé of the Zogona royal family.
The continued use of plastic sachets, though, is raising health concerns. Dr. Karim Kombasséré, a community health physician, warns that the heat from food and liquids can cause plastic particles, such as melamine, to migrate into the food, potentially leading to long-term health problems including cancers and digestive disorders. He also notes that even short-term exposure can alter the taste of food, reduce nutrient content, and cause infections.
A new law, no. 045-2024/ALT, enacted on December 30, 2024, prohibits the production, import, and sale of single-use plastic bags and packaging within Burkina Faso. Despite awareness of the law, vendors face challenges in finding affordable and suitable alternatives. Mme Tapsoba, a beignet (doughnut) seller, expressed her willingness to comply but emphasized the need for viable solutions. “We all agree with the ban on plastic. It’s a good initiative, as it affects our well-being. What we want is a solution that allows us to sell under good conditions,” she stated.
The issue extends beyond health to environmental concerns. Burkina Faso generates approximately 224,000 tons of plastic waste annually, with over 90% of street food packaging being plastic, according to Myriam Aman Wédraogo, Burkina Faso’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Nairobi, in a speech delivered in Paris on May 30, 2023. The reliance on plastic packaging for food poses significant health and environmental risks, and a collective effort is needed to find alternatives and protect public health.