Food safety knowledge and hygiene practices among food handlers in Nnewi metropolis, southeast Nigeria

Background: Food-borne illnesses are a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide, and food safety and hygiene play a critical role in maintaining and improving consumer health. One significant factor in the prevalence of food-related illnesses associated with unclean food is the way food vendors handle their inventory. As a result, this study evaluated the level of food handlers' adherence to cleanliness and safety standards, as well as the variables affecting them in the city of Nnewi. This study evaluated degree of safety and hygiene practices, as well as the factors influencing them, among food handlers in the Nnewi metropolis.Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 428 consenting food handlers was carried out in Nnewi metropolis utilizing quantitative data gathering methodologies and non-probability method of sampling. A well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was interviewer-administered to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, food safety and hygiene practices, knowledge of food safety, and observational checklists that covered cleaning, sanitation and personal hygiene. Evaluation of safety and hygiene practices was done using a four-point scale of responses from participants, with scores equal and above the 50th percentile classified as good practices, while scores less than the 50th percentile as poor practices Data were analyzed using Minitab version 21.2 and SPSS version 27.0. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mean age of the 428 food handlers who responded, was 33.89±10.29 years, with female preponderance (83.4%, n=357). A total of 217 (50.7%) respondents were adjudged to be of good practices of food safety while 211 (49.3%) were of bad practices. Statistical analysis showed that food safety and cleanliness habits were significantly associated with age, marital status, and gender (p<0.05). The presence of running water and the type of vending establishment (branded and unbranded) were also significantly associated with food safety practices while factors such as education level of respondents, prior training in food safety, knowledge of food safety policy in Nigeria, and duration of employment as food handlers, were not significantly associated with food safety practices (p>0.05).Conclusion: The data indicate that certain demographic factors significantly impact food safety practices, pointing to potential areas for intervention, such as enhancing training and monitoring, particularly among younger, married, and less-educated food handlers, and ensuring the presence of running water in the vending premises. Food safety and cleanliness standards need to be raised because maintaining and enhancing health depends on food's wholesomeness and maximum safety.