Abstract:
The adoption of impressive and positive attitude and practice towards food hygiene
and safety by street food vendors is crucial in enhancing healthy population in communities.
The study sought to examine food safety knowledge, attitude and practice of street food
vendors in Tamale Metropolis. A sample size of 183 (128 [food vendors], 50 [customers]
and 5 [health inspectors] were selected from using purposive and convenience sampling
techniques. Questionnaire, interview guide and observation were used as the main data
collection instruments for the study. The results of the study were analyzed using descriptive
statistics in the form of percentages, mean scores and standard deviation. There were
instances where unsafe water was used for washing utensils. There were poor washing
facilities for most of the vendors and foods were contaminated through unwashed hands and
unsafe materials such as newspaper and reusable polyethylene bags. Food Vendors were
conversant with the issue that contamination leads to food poisoning. Some of the challenges
of food hygiene and safety had to do with inadequate refuse disposal and waste bins, poor
water supply and drainage system, overcrowding, poor handling and storage of products and
unhygienic surroundings. Food vendors do not Knowledge on effective safety practices due
to poor logistics and welfares to motivate health inspectorate officers. These have led to poor
inspection and monitoring of food vendors activities. There should be adequate training
programme organized for food vendors on safe handling of food techniques. This would help
in equip skills in them to effectively deal with hygiene and safety measures.
Description:
A project submitted to the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Education,
University of Education Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of Master of Technology (Catering and Hospitality) Degree.