Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene 2476-3241 11 3 2026 04 11 268 281 EN Diana Nicodemas Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Mbeya University of Science and Technology Chacha Nyangi 0000-0002-9543-9758 2025 10 28 2026 02 20 Sugarcane juice is a popular street beverage in Tanzania, yet its microbial safety remains a growing public health concern. This study evaluated the microbiological quality of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and investigated the impact of vendor hygiene practices in Mbeya City. A cross-sectional study involved eight sugarcane juice vendors, with 32 juice samples collected from markets, bus terminals, and areas surrounding Mbeya University of Science and Technology. Microbial quality was assessed through total plate counts (cfu/mL), and hygiene practices were evaluated using structured questionnaires and direct observation. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 20, employing General Linear Models (GLM). Microbial counts ranged from 3 to 46 cfu/mL, with 68.8% of samples exceeding the Tanzania Bureau of Standards limit (3.0 cfu/mL). Vendors with poor hygiene had significantly higher microbial loads (p<0.001). The GLM showed that hygienic practices explained 78.2% to 82.5% of the variation in cfu/mL. Notably, juice sold near bus terminals and markets showed higher contamination compared to university areas, correlating with observed hygiene scores. Unhygienic handling practices significantly contribute to microbial contamination. There is a pressing need for hygiene education, improved infrastructure, and routine monitoring to ensure food safety, especially in high-traffic vending zones. https://jfsh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfsh/article/view/596