Abstract:
The study investigated the food handling practices of the street food vendors in
Koforidua and how their practices affect the safety of the food before consumption, and
consumers knowledge of food-borne diseases. The study was a descriptive survey and
a sample of one hundred and fifty respondents made up of fifty food vendors and one
hundred consumers were purposively and conveniently sampled respectively for the
study. The data gathered was analyzed using SPSS Version 17 and converted into
frequencies, percentages and tables. The major findings of the study are that majority
of the food vendors had knowledge of food safety as well as the laws that govern their
operations. Again, the food vendors’ knowledge acquired through training programmes
did not reflect in their food handling operations. Also, a lot of the consumers patronized
street foods because prices were moderate as compared to the formal establishments.
Finally, majority of the consumers reported the food at the vending sites was prepared
under unhygienic conditions. This study concluded that some of the street food vendors
do have some knowledge in hygienic food handling practices through the training they
receive but the knowledge they acquired are not put into practice when handling food.
Based on the findings of the research, the study recommends that food vendors must be
educated on the importance of; certification before selling food to the public, keeping
work surfaces clean, separating raw and cooked food in the refrigerator, and using
separate equipment for raw and cooked food. The Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana
Tourist Board and most especially The New Juaben Municipal Assembly Health
officers, should ensure that, street food vendors in Koforidua are well informed on
issues bordering food hygiene and food borne diseases and their effects on consumers
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of Home Economics Education, Faculty of
Science Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of
Education, Winneba in partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of the
Master of Philosophy (Home Economics) degree.
February, 2016