Assessing the impact of Covid 19 on food safety practices among food handlers in Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The world is facing an unprecedented food safety threat from the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (referred to as the COVID-19 virus). The COVID- 19 pandemic is a health and humanitarian crisis threatening the food security and nutrition of millions of people around the world. Food safety is a global concern that covers a variety of different areas of everyday life. These process of maintaining food safety has been altered by the advance of COVID 19 pandemic. This pandemic came with a protocol that must be observed to prevent it from spreading among people. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of COVID 19 on food safety practices among food handlers. The researcher conducted this study using a descriptive research design. The population includes food handlers in the hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and traditional catering services (chop bars) in Kumasi Metropolis. The researcher made use of random sampling method and the sample size was based on the "rule of 5", in all 202 respondents were used for the study. Primary source of data that is questionnaire was used to collect data. All finished research instrument was gathered, marked, defined, and entered into the Social Science Statistics Suite (SPSS) for analysis. The study found that food handlers were following the laid down safety practice in an effort to control the spread of the virus and also it was revealed that the food handlers were exhibiting a good attitude and following the hygienic practices. It was revealed that these food handlers were facing challenges in the effort to help prevent the transmission of the virus. It is recommended that these companies should provide their employee with an electronic system at will regularly.