Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene 2476-3241 10 3 2024 09 30 210 222 Honorine Ntangmo Tsafack University of Dschang Gérard Kaptue Wambo University of Dschang Arielle Marie Pierre Kammegne University of Dschang Jules Vales Teikeu Teoussi University of Dschang Laura Ladouce Yanguem University of Dschang Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko University of Dschang Joseph Lubala Amani University of Dschang Teh Exodus Akwa University of Dschang Franck Rubeon Wamba University of Dschang Emile Emile Temgoua University of Dschang 2024 12 04 2025 03 09 Rapid urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa has led to the expansion of the informal sector, particularly in the sale of fourth-range food products, as in Douala. This situation, without adequate regulation, exposes consumers to health risks, notably water-borne diseases due to precarious hygiene conditions. This study assesses the bacteriological quality of fourth-range products in the Douala 3 commune in order to identify sanitary risks and analyze the implications in public health. A total of 112 samples, including apples, oranges, African eggplants, sweet peas, carrots, papayas and pineapples, were collected from vendors and transported in refrigerated containers to the laboratory. Bacteriological analysis was carried out by plating the samples on selective media. Results showed that, except for apples and some papayas, most samples were contaminated, exceeding EU thresholds (0 cfu/g). Oranges were highly contaminated with fecal coliforms (4.75x103 cfu/g), but lesser with Vibrio spp. (1.4 cfu/g) and Salmonella spp. (5.33 cfu/g). Contamination with Vibrio spp was higher in carrot (603.80 cfu/g). Papayas and pineapples showed high concentrations of fecal streptococci (5.37x104 cfu/g and 4.74 x104 cfu/g, respectively). Sweet peas were the most contaminated, with high levels of Escherichia coli (2.93x106 cfu/g), Salmonella spp. (3120 cfu/g), Shigella spp. (6.63x107 cfu/g) and fecal coliforms (5.38 x107 cfu/g). These results underline the urgent need to improve hygiene conditions and strengthen regulation of the informal food sector. Control and awareness-raising measures are essential to protect public health. https://jfsh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfsh/article/view/526 https://jfsh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfsh/article/download/526/255