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

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.

Improving Food Safety Culture in Nigeria: A Review of Practical Issues

As a developing nation and the most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria has enormous challenges connected with food safety culture. To produce and provide safe, secure and nutritious food, consumers and food businesses must abide by a set of shared values known as food safety culture. In Nigeria, food safety culture is a complex subject due to Nigeria’s heterogeneous and diverse nature, as demonstrated by its over 250 ethnic groups. As Nigeria becomes more urbanized and incomes continue to fluctuate at robust rates, few Nigerians are conscious of food safety issues. In addition, oversight from government regulators around food safety require improvement. Public engagement in food safety issues has not witnessed a promising trajectory in recent years. In this article, we provide a review of the food safety culture in Nigeria and its role and influence on various cases of food safety issues in Nigeria. Of interest to this paper are studies exploring consumer and food handler perceptions and behavior regarding food safety. In addition, keen attention is devoted to areas that are in need of additional research to help address practical and on-the-ground challenges associated with Nigeria’s food safety practices. This article suggests that improving food safety culture in Nigeria requires both applying the best management and communication approaches in different regions and understanding the local food safety practices.

A Review of Microbial Contamination in Processed and Street Foods

As a basic physiology need threat to sufficient food, production is threat to human survival food security was a main issue that has gained global concern. This paper looks at the food borne contamination by assessing the availability of food and accessibility of the available food from a food as a microbiologist’s perspective, there are several microorganisms similarly viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and parasites for which foods serve as vehicles of transmission. Among these agents, several bacteria are most commonly implicated in foodborne outbreak episodes. Foodborne diseases in human beings are caused either by straight contact with infested food animals/animal products (zoonotic) or humans, such as a food handler, or by direct absorption of polluted foods. There are three important terms with regard to foodborne diseases foodborne infections, foodborne toxicoinfections and foodborne intoxications. Foodborne infection is the condition caused by the incorporation of viable cells of a pathogen. For example, Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli infections are brought about by the ingestion of food contaminated with living cells of these pathogens. Finally, foodborne toxicoinfection is that in which the ingestion of viable pathogenic cells causes the toxins productions inside the human body, leading to infection episodes. For example, Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin inside the body after being ingested by the host. The morphology, Gram’s reaction, biochemical properties, and associated foods with important foodborne bacteria.

Nível de Conhecimento dos Manipuladores de Alimentos Sobre Boas Práticas em Restaurantes Tipo Self-Service do Município de Patos – PB

As doenças transmitidas por alimentos tem o manipulador de alimentos como um fator de risco para sua ocorrência, quando falhas são cometidas no processo de produção dos alimentos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar o nível de conhecimento dos manipuladores de alimentos dos restaurantes tipo self-service do município de Patos – PB, quanto as boas práticas de manipulação. A pesquisa se deu por meio de aplicação de um questionário estruturado contendo 34 questões relacionadas às características sociodemográficas e ao conhecimento sobre boas práticas de manipulação para 65 manipuladores de alimentos de 25 restaurantes self-service, selecionados a partir dos estabelecimentos cadastrados na Vigilância Sanitária Municipal. Na classificação do nível de conhecimento foi adotado como satisfatória uma porcentagem igual ou superior a 60% de acertos. Os dados foram analisados através da estatística descritiva. Para os dados sociodemográficos, o estudo mostrou a predominância dos seguintes fatores: sexo feminino (95,0%), faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos (36,9%), ensino fundamental incompleto (36,95%), não realizam exames admissionais e/ou de rotina (75,4%) e parasitológico de fezes (40,0%), nunca participou de treinamento (60,0%). O nível de conhecimento dos manipuladores foi considerado como satisfatório sendo com média de acertos de 89,16%. Diante dos resultados obtidos, apesar dos manipuladores apresentarem um nível de conhecimento satisfatório, não o põe em prática, sendo necessária uma capacitação periódica para melhorar a qualificação profissional dos manipuladores, visando o fornecimento de alimentos seguros e minimizando os riscos de ocorrências de doenças transmitidas por alimentares. Palavras-chave: Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos. Manipuladores. Boas Práticas. Segurança dos Alimentos. Abstract The foodborne diseases have the food handler as a risk factor for its occurrence, when failures are made in the food production process. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of food handlers in self-service restaurants in the municipality of Patos - PB, regarding the good handling practices. The research took place through the application of a structured questionnaire containing 34 questions related to sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about good handling practices, for 65 food handlers from 25 self-service restaurants, selected from establishments registered with the Municipal Health Surveillance. In the classification of the level of knowledge, a percentage equal to or greater than 60% of correct answers was adopted as satisfactory. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For sociodemographic data, the study showed the predominance of the following factors: female gender (95,0%), age group 40-49 years (36,9%), incomplete elementary school (36,95%), do not perform admission exams and/or routine (75,4%) and parasitological stools (40,0%), never participated in training (60,0%). The level of knowledge of the manipulators was considered satisfactory, with an average of 89,16% correct answers. In view of the results obtained, despite the manipulators having a satisfactory level of knowledge, it does not put it into practice, requiring periodic training to improve the professional qualification of the manipulators, aiming at providing safe food and minimizing the risks of foodborne diseases. Keywords: Foodborne Diseases. Manipulators. Good Practices. Food Safety.

Food Safety Knowledge of Food Sanitation Hygiene Practices in the Era of Pandemic COVID-19

Background and Objectives: Food hygiene and sanitation in various food industries or processed food service providers requires special attention from the government during this pandemic, where the sector remains a necessity for the entire community. Monitoring and evaluation are urgently needed in order to break the chain of transmission and eliminate the risk of contamination of food during processing or during packaging. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between knowledge and food hygiene and sanitation practices at public facilities providing processed food.Methods: This research is an observational study using a cross sectional design. The population in this study is the food service industry of class A2 and A3. Determination of respondents in this study was done by purposive sampling. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire from FAO related to policies regarding the impact of COVID-19 on food safety and nutrition.Results: The results showed that the knowledge of the majority of food handler and presenters was 18 (47.4%) and the application of food hygiene and sanitation was also low 28 (73.8%). Food handlers and presenters with good knowledge have better compliance in implementing food hygiene and sanitation compared to food handlers and presenters who have sufficient and less knowledge (p value 0.05).Conclusions and Implications: Low knowledge of food handlers and presenters is known to be one of the factors not implementing food hygiene and sanitation so that it has the potential to increase the spread of the SAR-CoV-2 virus. One strategy that can be done is to provide continuous socialization and education through various mass media using a cultural approach. Keywords: Hygiene; Sanitation; Food; Pandemic.

Genetic characterization of two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus spa type t127 strains isolated from workers in the dairy production chain in Greece

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitutes a constant threat for the public health. Aim of the present study was to analyse the whole genome sequences of two MRSA strains belonging to Staphylococcus protein A (spa) type t127 isolated from humans working in two distantly located dairy production farms in Greece.MRSA strains were isolated from the nasal cavity of a food handler in a milk industry in Epirus, northwestern Greece (E-MRSA), and a person working in a cattle farm in Thrace, northeastern Greece (T-MRSA). Whole genome sequences taken using next generation sequencing were analysed for resistance and virulence genes applying various bioinformatic tools.Both isolates were assigned to ST1-IVa-t127 type, and they were transferring genes conferring resistance to tetracycline, β-lactams, and aminoglycosides; T-MRSA was carrying additional genes leading to macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance. Both isolates were carrying three plasmid replicon types, rep5, rep7 and rep16, while T-MRSA harboured also rep10 and rep15. E-MRSA carried scn and sak genes which were absent from T-MRSA.In conclusion, the genetic characterization of two unrelated ST1-IVa-t127 MRSA strains isolated from humans in close contact with livestock in Greece can be used as basis for further epidemiological and evolutionary studies.

A New Approach to Food Safety Training: A Review of a Six-Step Knowledge Sharing Model

Significant resources including both human and financial capital have been dedicated to developing and delivering food handler training programs to meet government and organizational mandates. Even with the plethora of food safety-oriented training programs, there is scant empirical evidence documenting their effectiveness suggesting the need to rethink the design and delivery of food safety training for food handlers. One underlying assumption of most training programs is that food handlers engage in unsafe practices because of lack of knowledge. As a result, many training curricula are designed to improve knowledge assuming behavior will change as knowledge increases. However, food handlers often return to their work environment and try to implement their new knowledge with minimal success. One explanation for this is that the training context and the implementation context often differ making it difficult for the food handler to transfer what they learned into practice. Understanding the connection between knowledge, the organization, and its environment is critical to knowledge implementation. The focus of this review is to describe a six-step knowledge sharing model. Here, knowledge sharing is broadly defined as the process of creating then using knowledge in order to change a practice or behavior. Our proposed knowledge sharing model is comprised of six steps: generation, adaptation, dissemination, reception, adoption, and implementation. We have organized this model into two dyads: (1) transfer between researcher (i.e., knowledge generators) and educator and (2) transfer between educator and food handler (i.e., knowledge implementers). In order to put into practice this proposed model for developing and delivering effective food safety training for food handlers, suggested actions that can be performed within each step of the knowledge sharing process have been provided.

The effectiveness of food safety & workplace interventions for food handlers

Researchers conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education interventions to improve food safety in restaurants and food service settings. Infographic of Young, I., Greig, J., Wilhelm, B.J., & Waddell, L.A. (2019). Effectiveness of food handler training and education interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Food Protection 82(10), 1714–1728.

The effectiveness of food safety & workplace interventions for food handlers

Researchers conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education interventions to improve food safety in restaurants and food service settings. Infographic of Young, I., Greig, J., Wilhelm, B.J., & Waddell, L.A. (2019). Effectiveness of food handler training and education interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Food Protection 82(10), 1714–1728.

Molecular detection of glutamate dehydrogenase gene of Giardia lamblia isolated from food handlers in Erbil city

Background and objective: Giardia lamblia is the intestinal flagellated protozoan parasite that infects vertebrates, including humans. Giardiasis is the major diarrheal disease found worldwide. It can be symptomatic or may be an asymptomatic carrier that led to chronic disease. This study aimed to determine the proportion of giardiasis among food handlers and evaluate the correlation between two laboratory methods for identifying the Giardia lamblia. Methods: A total of 308 stool samples were collected from food handlers that annually attend the central laboratory in Erbil City. Wetmount microscopic examination was performed for the diagnosis of cysts and trophozoites of the Giardia parasite. Molecular analysis done for positive samples, DNA extraction performed using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen Company, Germany). Nested PCR analysis was done targeting the Glutamate dehydrogenase gene using two sets of primers for amplification of 734bp fragment. Gel electrophoresis was performed for visualizing the amplified DNA by Ultraviolet light. Results: The mean age of food handler participants was 29 years. Most (93.8%) of the food handlers were males, and the majority (98.6%) of the participants did not have any signs and symptoms. Four (7.4%) microscopy positive sample participants were highly educated. There was no association between educational level and positive rate by microscopy (P = 0.066). The majority of participants did not receive treatments, particularly most of the microscopic positive samples. The food handlers did not take any antiparasitic treatments 9 (3.4%) (P = 0.676). From 11 (3.6%) microscopically positive samples, 10 (90.9%) Giardia lamblia gdh gene 734 bp fragments were amplified by nested PCR. Conclusion: Amplification of 734bp of gdh gene by the nested PCR is the most specific and sensitive method for identifying Giardia lamblia. Food handlers were important people to care about sanitation and preparing food, particularly for avoiding diseases transmitted by food. Keywords: Giardiasis; Genetic characterization; gdh gene; Nested PCR.