Examining food safety knowledge, attitude and practice of street food vendors in Tamale metropolis

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.