Food Safety and Hygiene Practices among Food Vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated food safety and hygiene practices among food vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study consisted of all the 143 registered food vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri. An adapted instrument from similar past studies was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was distributed on face-to face basis to only 138 vendors who declared interest after their consent was sought and gained. All the 138 copies of the instrument were returned but only 135 well filled copies were used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistic of frequency and percentage while inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed poor for safety and hygiene practices before food preparation and during preparation but moderate food safety and hygiene practices during food service among food vendors. The findings also revealed that education has an influence on food safety and hygiene practices among food vendors. It was recommended among others, that consultancy department in-charge of food business establishments within the institution should frequently supervise the hygienic condition under which food vendors operate during food preparation and serving. Also, that health educators should organize seminars and workshops periodically, to sanitize food vendors and the general public on the importance of food safety and hygiene practices in eradicating food borne illnesses.