Street food may be a vehicle of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to humans. Foods contaminated with ARB entail serious problems or challenges in the fields of medical care, animal husbandry, food industry, and public health worldwide. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify and evaluate scientific reports associated with ARB isolated from various street foods. “Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis” (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The bibliographic material covers a period from January 2015 to April 2024. Six electronic scientific databases were searched individually for full-text articles; only those papers that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Seventeen papers were included in this systematic review. This study highlighted the wide distribution of ARB resistant to β-lactams and other antibiotics, posing significant health risks to consumers. High resistance levels were observed for antibiotics such as ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline, while some antibiotics, such as ceftazidime, clavulanic acid, cefoperazone, cotrimoxazole, doxycycline, doripenem, fosfomycin, vancomycin, and piperacillin-tazobactam, demonstrated 100% susceptibility. The prevalence of ARB in street foods varied between 5.2% and 70.8% among different countries. The multiple resistance of various bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Klebsiella, to multiple classes of antibiotics, as well as environmental factors contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR), emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive approaches and coordinated efforts to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under the “One Health” paradigm.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathotypes present in contaminated food, street food, or water are major contributors to foodborne illnesses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are widely applied to detect and confirm E. coli pathotypes in food samples, thereby supporting outbreak prevention efforts. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive and reliable review of the molecular identification of E. coli isolated from street foods and to examine its public health implications. The review followed the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines and included data retrieved from seven electronic scientific databases covering the period from 1 January 2015, to 15 August 2025. Relevant full-text articles were identified using the search string (“Street food”) AND (Escherichia coli), and only those that met established inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. A total of 23 studies from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America were included. These studies analyzed a wide range of street foods and beverages. MacConkey Agar and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar were the primary culture media used for the growth and isolation of E. coli. PCR was employed in 50% of the studies to amplify specific DNA segments, enabling the identification of eight E. coli pathotypes: EHEC, ETEC, EAEC (Eagg), EIEC, EPEC, UPEC, DAEC, and APEC. Additionally, a few studies reported phylogroups such as A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and Clade 1. The prevalence of E. coli in street foods varied widely, ranging from 0.5% in Chile to 100% in Mexico. Overall, this systematic review provides an updated scientific overview highlighting persistent challenges in street food safety and E. coli contamination. Across studies, three recurring issues were identified: (1) inadequate and unhygienic vending locations, (2) poor quality of food, and (3) inappropriate food preparation practices. These findings underscore the need for strategic interventions. The evidence presented could support governments and the scientific community in advancing research on E. coli in street foods and implementing corrective measures at local or regional scales, such as educational campaigns for vendors and consumers.