ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF FOOD SAFETY FROM STREET FOOD HANDLERS

http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.02.508

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Food Safety from Street Food
Handlers aims to investigate the safety measures taken by vendors in the crowded city of Lahore, where street
food is a staple. The goal of this study is to learn more about street food handlers' knowledge, attitudes, and
practices regarding food safety. By examining these factors, the research seeks to identify potential gaps and areas
for improvement in ensuring the well-being of consumers. The goal is to inform policymakers and health
authorities about critical areas that require intervention, ultimately contributing to Lahore's safer and healthier
street food culture. METHODOLOGY: It is a cross-sectional study, and the participants were selected using a
convenient sampling technique. A study was carried out in Lahore between March and June of 2022 at Anarkali
Street Food and Garhi Shahu Bazaar. Two hundred responders who were street food handlers and willing to
participate in the research were included. Informed consent forms were obtained from all street food handlers. We
were present to answer their doubts about any point during the completion of the questionnaire, and questions
were verbally translated into Urdu. Responses were gathered using a structured questionnaire that included
questions about demographic details and KAP statistics of food handlers. The SPSS software was used to get the
mean scores from the data. To statistically evaluate the responses of food handlers, descriptive statistics were
utilized. RESULTS: The findings revealed that a considerable percentage of food handlers had poor FSK
(4.63+2.71, 43.6%) but with low values of FSA (11.09±2.63, 68.7%) and FSP (6.78±3.01, 61.6%) with acceptance
level. CONCLUSION: Food handlers need training to learn more about food safety, change their attitudes and
intentions, and help them become more committed to putting what they've learned into practice. Knowledge that
explains how to complete their tasks must be emphasized in training. The Punjab Food Authority, food service
management, and food safety trainers will benefit from this study's information on the level of food safety
knowledge, attitude, and practice among food handlers at street food outlets in Lahore.