Identifying critical risk practices among street food handlers

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 390-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alekhya Sabbithi ◽  
S.G.D.N. Lakshmi Reddi ◽  
R. Naveen Kumar ◽  
Varanasi Bhaskar ◽  
G.M. Subba Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Street Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
South Indian

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize the key food safety practices among street food handlers that lead to microbial contamination in selected street foods of Hyderabad, India. These key food safety practices will help develop and design tailor-made training material for street food vendors in future. Design/methodology/approach It is a cross-sectional study conducted in south Indian city of Hyderabad. Stratified random sampling method was employed. A total of 463 samples of street foods were collected from five zones of Hyderabad. They included 163 salad toppings, 150 fresh fruit juices and 150 panipuri samples. Identification and enumeration of foodborne pathogens and indicator organisms (S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Bacillus cereus, Yersinia spp.) were performed as described by USFDA-BAM. Information on food safety knowledge and handling practices from street vendors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Associations between hygiene practices and bacterial pathogens were done using ANOVA. Risk estimation of food safety practices was assessed by calculating odds ratio. Findings Microbiological analysis indicated that a large number of carrot (98.1 percent) and onion (75.5 percent) samples were contaminated with E. coli. Peeled and cut fruits left uncovered have 13.4 times risk (OR: 2.40-74.8) of E. coli contamination compared to the covered ones. Panipuri samples picked from the vendors who did not have soap at the vending unit had significantly (p<0.001) higher contamination of fecal coliforms than those who had. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind in the study area.

Food safety knowledge, attitudes, practices and training of fast-food restaurant food handlers: a moderation analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Van Andaya Aquino ◽  
Tyron Yap ◽  
Jean Paolo Gomez Lacap ◽  
Gertrude Tuazon ◽  
Maribel Flores
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Fast Food Restaurant ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderation Analysis ◽  
Food Safety Training ◽  
Safety Knowledge

PurposeThe study examines the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices, and the moderating effect of food safety training on the said interrelationships.Design/methodology/approachPredictive-causal was the primary research design used and partial least squares – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was the statistical technique applied.FindingsResults showed that food safety knowledge significantly and positively influences attitudes towards food safety. It was further revealed that attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices are also significantly and positively related. Moderation analysis indicated that food safety training moderates the significant and positive relationship between attitudes towards food safety and food safety practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study has limitations. First, the unit of analysis is focused on food handlers in fast-food restaurants in Angeles City, Philippines. Other researchers may come up with similar studies on a larger scale – provincial, regional or national. Second, only food safety training as a construct was used as a moderator on the hypothesized relationships of the structural model. Other studies may expand and explore other moderating variables and/or mediating constructs that may affect the said hypothesized relationships.Practical implicationsBased on the present study, food safety knowledge was found to have a huge significant and direct influence on attitudes of fast-food restaurant food handlers towards food safety, as evidenced by the computed effect size. In short, knowledge on food safety is an integral factor when it comes to enhancing food safety attitudes of fast-food restaurant food handlers. When fast-food restaurant food handlers are well-equipped with the right food safety knowledge, they become more aware of the different food safety protocols and other pertinent food safety guidelines and procedures which can lead to favorable food safety attitudes.Social implicationsThe present study highlighted the moderating effect of food safety training on the relationship between attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices. Therefore, regular attendance of food handlers to food safety training is crucial in developing acceptable attitudes toward food safety, which in turn, favorably affect their food safety practices in fast-food restaurants.Originality/valueThe current study utilized PLS-SEM, a second-generation statistical technique, to measure the hypothesized relationships as compared to correlation tests performed by prior studies on the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices. PLS-SEM is suitable for this type of research design – predictive-causal – since this study involves model development and prediction. Furthermore, it employed moderation analysis to measure the moderating effects of food safety training on the identified hypothesized relationships of the structural model. Hence, methodologically, the present study employed new ways and insights in measuring the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices.

scholarly journals Street food handlers' food safety knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices and consumers' perceptions about street food vending in Maseru, Lesotho

2021 ◽  
Vol 123 (13) ◽  
pp. 302-316
Author(s):  
Ponts'o Letuka ◽  
Jane Nkhebenyane ◽  
Oriel Thekisoe
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Food Handler ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Street Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Safety Knowledge

PurposeFood safety knowledge and hygienic practices by food handlers play an important role in the prevention of contamination of food prepared.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive survey was conducted in Maseru around the taxi ranks amongst 48 food handlers and 93 consumers using a semi-structured questionnaire for assessing food handler knowledge, attitudes and practices, open-ended questionnaire for obtaining consumer perceptions and observation checklist.FindingsMajority of the food handlers were females (60%) and males constituted only (40%). The mean age was 35.5 ± 10.3 and 28.2 ± 9.9 respectively for street vendors and consumers. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge among the trained and untrained vendors (p = 0040). On average the vendor population that participated in this study was considered to have poor knowledge (scores < 50%) of food safety since they scored 49% ± 11, while 84% of the respondents were considered to have positive attitudes towards food safety. Only 6% of the consumers reported that they never buy street vended foods mainly due to the hygiene issues. The observation checklist showed that the vendors operated under unhygienic conditions and that there was scarcity of clean water supply and hand washing facilities.Originality/valueThis study provides knowledge that was previously unknown about food vending in Lesotho. It has significantly added to the body of knowledge on food safety in Lesotho which can be used to modify policies and structure food safety training for people involved in the informal trade.

Food safety practices of future food handlers and their teachers, observed during practical lessons

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrej Ovca ◽  
Mojca Jevšnik ◽  
Peter Raspor
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Vocational Education ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Care Systems

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate future food handlers’ practices during practical lessons close to the end of their formal vocational education, and to record teachers’ behaviour and to evaluate classrooms that were intended for practical lessons. Design/methodology/approach A total of 90 students between 17 and 19 years of age, 12 teachers, and 12 training classrooms intended for practical lessons, which were divided into six observation sessions in the field of catering and six observation sessions in the field of food processing (bakery, confectionery, and butchery), were observed. Findings Both proper and inappropriate food-handling practices were observed among teachers and students. Comparing the hygienic-technical conditions of the training classrooms with teachers’ and students’ behaviour revealed several interconnected situations increasing the risk of food contamination during the production process. Research limitations/implications Data were collected by one observer who was not part of the class. The sample size was small, limiting the generalisability of the results. Practical implications The results indicate the weaknesses in the formal vocational education of future professional food handlers. Social implications Good food safety practices among food handlers reduce societal costs related to health-care systems and food industry economic losses. Originality/value The study provides an insight into the education and training of future professional food handlers in a controlled environment in educational institutions.

Campylobacter in waterborne epidemics in Finland

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.-L. Hänninen ◽  
R. Kärenlampi
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
July August September

The sources for drinking water in Finland are surface water, groundwater or artificially recharged groundwater. There are approximately 1400 groundwater plants in Finland that are microbiologically at a high risk level because in most cases they do not use any disinfection treatment. Campylobacter jejuni has caused waterborne epidemics in several countries. Since the middle of the 1980s, C. jejuni has been identified as the causative agent in several waterborne outbreaks in Finland. Between 1998 and 2001, C. jejuni or C. upsaliensis caused seven reported waterborne epidemics. In these epidemics approximately 4000 people acquired the illness. Most of the outbreaks occurred in July, August , September or October. In four of them source water and net water samples were analysed for total coliforms or fecal coliforms, E. coli and campylobacters. We showed that large volumes of water samples in studies of indicator organisms (up to 5000 ml) and campylobacters (4000–20,000 ml) increased the possibility to identify faecal contamination and to detect the causative agent from suspected sources.

Water Quality of Swimming Pools in Jerusalem

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lerman ◽  
O. Lev ◽  
A. Adin ◽  
E. Katzenelson
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Indirect Information

The Israel Ministry of Health is now revising its regulations for the assurance of safe water quality in public swimming pools. Since it is not possible to monitor each of the pathogenic microorganisms, it is often recommended to monitor indicator bacteria which provide indirect information on the water quality in the swimming pool. Three indicator microorganisms are often recommended: coliform counts (total coliforms, fecal coliforms or E. Coli), staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. A four year survey of the water quality of swimming pools in the Jerusalem District was conducted in order to determine whether the monitoring of all three indicators is necessary to assure safe water quality or is it sufficient to monitor only a single microorganism. A statistical analysis, conducted by using several different statistical techniques, reveals that the populations of the three indicator organisms are significantly interdependent but the correlations between each pair of these indicators are not sufficient to base a prediction of any of the organisms based on the measurements of the others. Therefore, it is concluded that monitoring of all three indicators should be recommended in order to provide an adequate picture of the water quality in swimming pools.

scholarly journals Induction of Viable but Nonculturable Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Phyllosphere of Lettuce: a Food Safety Risk Factor

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (23) ◽  
pp. 8295-8302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura-Dorina Dinu ◽  
Susan Bach
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Prolonged Storage ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Vbnc State ◽  
Viable But Nonculturable ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliO157:H7 continues to be an important human pathogen and has been increasingly linked to food-borne illness associated with fresh produce, particularly leafy greens. The aim of this work was to investigate the fate ofE. coliO157:H7 on the phyllosphere of lettuce under low temperature and to evaluate the potential hazard of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells induced under such stressful conditions. First, we studied the survival of six bacterial strains following prolonged storage in water at low temperature (4°C) and selected two strains with different nonculturable responses for the construction ofE. coliO157:H7 Tn7gfptransformants in order to quantitatively assess the occurrence of human pathogens on the plant surface. Under a suboptimal growth temperature (16°C), bothE. coliO157:H7 strains maintained culturability on lettuce leaves, but under more stressful conditions (8°C), the bacterial populations evolved toward the VBNC state. The strain-dependent nonculturable response was more evident in the experiments with different inoculum doses (109and 106E. coliO157:H7 bacteria per g of leaf) when strain BRMSID 188 lost culturability after 15 days and strain ATCC 43895 lost culturability within 7 days, regardless of the inoculum dose. However, the number of cells entering the VBNC state in high-cell-density inoculum (approximately 55%) was lower than in low-cell-density inoculum (approximately 70%). We recorded the presence of verotoxin for 3 days in samples that contained a VBNC population of 4 to 5 log10cells but did not detect culturable cells. These findings indicate thatE. coliO157:H7 VBNC cells are induced on lettuce plants, and this may have implications regarding food safety.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Food Safety Hazards among Street Food Handlers towards Sustainability of Food Industry

2020 ◽  
pp. 519-531
Author(s):  
Hayati Adilin Mohd Abd Majid ◽  
Mufida Syasnim Mohd Sa’ad ◽  
Norshafinas Mohd Noor ◽  
Noorazlin Ramli ◽  
Wan Nazriah Wan Nawawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Street Food

A Training Course on Food Hygiene for Butchers: Measuring Its Effectiveness through Microbiological Analysis and the Use of an Inspection Checklist

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2439-2442 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA LUIZA SANTOMAURO VAZ ◽  
NEIL FERREIRA NOVO ◽  
DIRCE MARIA SIGULEM ◽  
TANIA BENINGA MORAIS
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Food Hygiene ◽  
Flow Process ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Safety Procedures

The effectiveness of food hygiene training for a group of retail butchers was evaluated with the aim of verifying whether the butchers modified their behavior in the light of knowledge gained and whether their acquired knowledge or behavior change was sustained over a period of time. Microbiological analysis (enumeration of mesophilic and coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli) of a raw semiprocessed product (stuffed rolled beef) was conducted, and an inspection checklist was issued before the training course (T0). Initial results were later compared with results obtained 1 month (T1) and 6 months (T6) after the training. The checklist comprised 89 items classified into five categories: A, approved suppliers and product reception; B, storage conditions and temperature control; C, flow process, food handling procedures, and conditions of the window display unit; D, facility design and proper cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, utensils, and work surfaces; and E, pest control system, water supply control, and garbage disposal. The inspection results were recorded as “yes” or “no” for each item. Compliance with food safety procedures was recorded as the percentage of “yes” answers. The bacterial counts were significantly higher at T0. At T6, there was no significant increase in bacterial counts. There was a significant improvement in food safety practices at T1 and T6 compared with T0 for all categories. When comparing T0 and T1, the largest increases in the compliance scores were seen within categories C and D. No significant decrease in scores for compliance with food safety practices was observed at T6. Supervision and refresher activities may be necessary to maintain behavioral changes for a longer period of time.

Linking food safety training with whistle-blowing

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heyao Yu ◽  
Sujata A. Sirsat ◽  
Jack A. Neal
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Whistle Blowing ◽  
Food Safety Training ◽  
And Gender

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a validated food safety whistle-blowing scale and examine how training influences food handlers’ whistle-blowing, the mediating roles of job satisfaction and food safety self-efficacy and the moderating roles of organization type and gender. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 734 food handlers from the food service industry and 306 food handlers from the food processing industry were recruited. A two-step psychometric process was conducted to validate the scale, and a moderated mediation model was used to examine the mechanisms through which food safety training influences whistle-blowing. Findings The results showed that job satisfaction and self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between training and whistle-blowing. Organization type moderated the first step of the two indirect paths and gender moderated the second step, thereby supporting the mediated-moderated model. Practical implications The results indicate the influence of food safety training programs on whistle-blowing behaviors and suggest other methods of enhancing employee whistle-blowing through human resource management. Originality/value A validated scale is lacking to measure whistle-blowing in the food safety context, and little research has examined the influence of human resource practices on whistle-blowing. This study provides meaningful insights for researchers by developing and validating food safety the whistle-blowing scale, connecting training with whistle-blowing, and provides useful information for practitioners by offering the methods of enhancing whistleblowing in both the food processing and food service industry.

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