Assessing consumer awareness and perceptions about street food safety at Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region

Abstract

Research has shown that most reported foodborne outbreaks are caused by food prepared and consumed at home and on the streets, thus emphasizing the importance of consumer food safety awareness and knowledge. To achieve this aim, the researcher used the quantitative descriptive survey methodology in the conduct of this study. The population for the study covered all the consumers of street foods in the Old Tafo. 100 respondents were randomly selected for the study. The researcher used questionnaire to collect data related to the objectives of the research and used simple frequencies, percentages and mean to analyse the obtained data. The study concludes that consumers do not know of the safe food handling practices and do not think of food safety when buying street food. It was also seen that consumers do not trust that street food vendors have capability to ensure that street foods are safe and therefore do not have trust in street food vendors. Finally, consumers have serious concerns about food safety issues. However, there is a significant disparity relating to the corresponding change in consumers’ food consumption habit. The study concludes that Food and Drugs Authority should conduct frequent periodic supervision of the operations of the street food vendors and certify them accordingly. Television and other mass media, government publications and food labels which have wide reach and are more ‘trusted’ by consumers should be used more effectively in educating consumers on safe food handling practices. Also, consumers should take personal responsibility for the food they buy and pay conscious attention to food safety practices.